Red Bull focused on reliability not performance says Albon

Red Bull focus is on reliability ahead as the first Formula 1 pre-season test comes to a close in Spain.

Albon completed the first of two three-day tests in Spain just one place behind teammate Max Verstappen, almost tied on the timesheets, and the Thai-British says the team have improved on the weaknesses of the RB15.

"It's a step in the right direction," said Albon. "I think always with new cars, there's a bit more fine tuning to be done with it, but as a base line, it felt better within the first five laps of driving it yesterday."

"It is a step forward."

"The main areas that we had to work on have improved. I had a bit of a seat issue, but otherwise it's fully good."

Analysising the potential rivals of Red Bull throughout 2020, Albon pointed at Mercedes domination of the timesheets.

"Mercedes are looking strong, but I think, compared to last year especially, we've hit the floor running," added Albon. "I'm speaking as someone who wasn't even here last year, but that's what they told me!"

Albon was not as concerned as he could have been by the timing deficit to Mercedes, saying that Red Bull were more focused on reliability than outright performance throughout the first test.

"We were obviously focused more towards reliability and just checking some stuff out. Otherwise, it was pretty smooth," continued Albon. "We got the laps in which is important and got a good base line for next week.

"It's good. We definitely made a big step forward with driveability and each time we went out it was getting better and better."

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