Big-name rivals “don’t matter” to Albon as Red Bull widens driver options

Alex Albon

Big-name rivals “don’t matter” to Albon as Red Bull widens driver options

Sergio Perez and Nico Hülkenberg are now in the frame

Will Gray

Thursday 29 October 2020 17:54

Alex Albon says it is “not my problem” that Christian Horner has opened the door to a possible replacement from outside the Red Bull talent pool, insisting he simply needs to “get the job done” to save his seat.

Red Bull has traditionally drawn drivers from within, and while team principal Horner has stated Albon remains “very much our preference”, he is currently evaluating "all possibilities” given Sergio Perez and Nico Hülkenberg are both available.

Albon has failed to aid his cause by collecting just one point in the last three races after finally breaking his podium duck with third place in the Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello.

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Recognising his perilous position, Albon said: “I know I’ve got to get the job done, there’s no secret in this sport, but the way I approach it is the same as I would in a normal weekend.

“I don’t care what the media has to say. I’m focused on the relationship between me and the team and the lap time in the car. There’s nothing else going to change my lap time by looking at my phone. I focus on the stuff that matters.”

Albon was promoted from Red Bull’s junior team in place of Pierre Gasly last season but has failed to fully grasp his opportunity this year as he been out-qualified and out-raced by team-mate Max Verstappen.

Over one lap in the 12 races this campaign, the 24-year-old's average grid position is 7.5 compared to Verstappen’s 3.5. In a race, Albon has yet to beat the Dutchman when both have been classified.

Despite the facts counting against him, Albon added: "I’m confident in my own abilities and names don’t really mean anything to me. I’m just focused on my job and working with the team to do the best job I can.

“I feel qualifying is improving - of course, there’s still a gap, but, in general, I feel like things are coming together a bit more, and I just need good weekends, cleaner weekends. That’s important, that’s really about it.

“Obviously, performance is a priority but there are no set goals in terms of statistics, just improvements and, of course, closing the gap is a very easy way to look at it, but in that sense, I haven’t been given any instruction.”

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