Bahrain GP the "simple race I was needing" - Alex Albon

Red Bull

Bahrain GP the "simple race I was needing" - Albon

Third place boosted his chances of staying with Red Bull for 2021

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 1 December 2020 15:39

Red Bull driver Alex Albon claimed the Bahrain Grand Prix was the "simple race" he needed in his bid to cement his place on the Formula 1 grid next season.

Albon finished third at Sakhir after profiting from a mechanical failure to the Racing Point of Sergio Perez's Racing Point, who, ironically, is his main contender for the second Red Bull race seat.

After struggling over the course of the season with drama-filled races, mistakes and poor starts, including previously in Turkey, Albon welcomed the straightforward night he was afforded.

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"It was good, it was one of those simple races I was needing," he said. "We had a good start which pretty much changed the race, which normally we have been struggling with, but this time it was pretty good.

"Obviously, unfortunate for Sergio. He was having a very good race but we were in the right place at the right moment and a double-podium for the team. Very happy.

"It doesn't even feel like a relief because it has felt like we needed to wait for it to fall into place and, of course, we had a bit of luck.

"But at the same time, it feels like things are going in the right way and hopefully, we can keep chugging along and have another two good races."

The race was overshadowed by the fiery crash involving Romain Grosjean, who is to spend a third night in hospital on Tuesday as he is treated for burns to his hands.

Albon celebrated the effort from the FIA medical car team - Dr Ian Roberts and Alan van der Merwe - and the fire marshals at the scene who made it possible for Grosjean to escape as quickly as he did.

"It is incredible, the safety of the car," he added. "Coming out of turn eight, I just saw the fire and the team said they were not sure if Romain had got out yet and that was like a real big breath in and wait for some news.

"But the team told me that he had got out. A great job from everyone. The medical car, it seemed like a team effort. Also the fire marshals. I think it is a credit to everyone."