Red Bull will miss Albon work ethic, but talent covered
Alex Albon wearing a facemask while standing in front of a photo of himself in DTM. Zolder August 2021
Red Bull will miss Alex Albon, not because they are “short of talent” for the future but because of his “experience and work ethic”.
That’s according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
Albon will be back on the Formula 1 grid next season, the Thai-British racer having signed with the Williams team to replace the Mercedes-bound George Russell.
With the negotiations playing out in the media in the week prior to Albon’s confirmation, Horner told the world that Red Bull are trying to secure their reserve driver a race seat with another team and urged Mercedes, who supply engines to Williams, not to block it.
Mercedes responded by saying Albon can join Williams, but that he’ll have to break ties with Red Bull.
While Horner said that request was unusual and showed too much influence from one team over another, it wasn’t long before it was confirmed that Albon had in fact split with Red Bull.
The Milton Keynes squad, though, has kept an option on him for the 2023 season.
But while Horner concedes Red Bull will miss Albon, he believes they are looking good when it comes to future talent.
“We’ll definitely miss him because of his experience and work ethic, and just he’s a very strong team player,” Horner said via Motorsportweek.com.
“But we have some great young talent as well coming through and developing: Juri Vips, Liam Lawson, Dennis Hauger in Formula 3, we’re not short of talent.
“And of course we have the more experienced guys like Sebastien Buemi and Jake Dennis.
“Alex is with us until the end of the season and his work rate over the next three months will be significant.”
Mega happy for @WilliamsRacing, @NicholasLatifi and @alex_albon. Awesome line-up for 2022, very well deserved. 👊 pic.twitter.com/dHpg4RxvZi
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) September 8, 2021
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As for speculation that the Mercedes influence in the situation may have been a thorn in his side, Horner says it was “very straightforward” sorting out Albon’s new deal with Williams CEO Jost Capito.
“Obviously Williams had a keen desire which is always a good starting point,” he said.
“I have to say our dealings with them were very straightforward, a few little obstacles on the way, but I was delighted we could get to a good outcome for everyone.”
