Albers: Racing Point a low point of 2020

Former F1 driver Christijan Albers believes that Racing Point’s RP20 was a low point of 2020 as its design was unfair on other teams.

As soon as it was unveiled, there was a huge amount of talk over the car’s similarity to the 2019 Mercedes challenger.

This proved to be a major storyline of the season, with the team eventually fined and docked points for illegally copying the German team in some areas.

Given this, Albers views the team soon to be known as Aston Martin, along with Ferrari, as the low point of the year.

“Much has been said about their engine of course, but the car as a whole was underperforming as well,” he said to the De Telegraaf.

“They started driving with a high rear end at Ferrari, as we know from Red Bull. But you saw that a four-time world champion like Sebastian Vettel didn’t feel at all at home in the car, you miss the confidence as a driver.

“Another low point for me was Racing Point, with their copy of the 2019 Mercedes. I just don’t think that’s fair to other teams.

“In that context, I liked the fact that not Racing Point, but McLaren came third in the constructors stand.”

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That being said, Albers is far more positive about one of the team’s drivers, Sergio Perez.

The Mexican proved to be one of the drivers of the season, finishing in P4 and winning a race, earning a 2021 seat with Red Bull in the process.

Before this year, Albers didn’t pay much attention to him, but that’s now changed.

“He has emerged as a top driver. Before, I always found him somewhat invisible and not such a high-profile person,” the Dutchman added.

“He keeps pushing and is very constant, doesn’t do crazy things. Pérez has had a top year and deserves the spot next to Verstappen at Red Bull.

“Max is much more of a natural talent, but Pérez is going to be a tougher teammate than Alexander Albon.”

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