Verstappen backs Albon to thrive at "less-pressure" Williams

Max Verstappen has backed former Red Bull team-mate Alex Albon to perform at Williams due to their being less pressure on the Thai-British driver.

After joining Red Bull from Toto Rosso midway through the 2019 F1 season, Albon then struggled alongside Verstappen in 2020, scoring just two podiums and claiming just under half of the Dutch driver's points total.

After being replaced by Sergio Perez at the end of last year, Albon has competed in DTM this season whilst also fulfiling duties as Red Bull's reserve driver.

Asked if returning to F1 with a different team could bring out the best in Albon, Verstappen said: “It’s difficult.

"I don’t know how he looks at it but he knows he has the speed. I think we all know that he has. He has shown this from go-karting.

“But probably in a less-pressure environment, it will be good to come back like that and like I said, I’m sure he will do well.

“Of course, you need to get used to the car, we all do with the new rules, but he will do good.”

As part of his reserve duties, Albon has completed significant mileage in the Red Bull simulator.

Given the relatively stable regulations from last season into this year, Albon has provided a strong reference point for the team.

“We’ve talked a lot about the car and, of course, when Alex is on the simulator, his findings," explained Verstappen.

"When we have questions after Friday and Alex is on the sim or whatever, he knows the car.

“Of course, the car has changed a little bit from last year and the year before but the general way of driving is the same so he can relate about a lot of stuff that is going on, also with the development stuff.

“He has been very helpful on the simulator for us.”

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