Can Alexander Albon survive at Red Bull?

[Peter Mallett]

Isn't this a classic problem with the rules? Can't test anyone outside of a few days in the year, have to rely on lower formulae to provide rising stars with the result that those that do get to the top are not prepared for the pressure. Add to that the costs involved in just being on the grid thus very few teams are willing to gamble on outsiders. Ultimately RB is now between the rock and hard place because it either picks an established name who will need serious management to avoid upsetting Verstappen, or they keep rotating the Alpha Tauri drivers. Do they have any RB candidates?

[Knowlesy]

Would people expect the gap to Max to shrink if Perez got the seat? I have my doubts.

[steve_r]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Would people expect the gap to Max to shrink if Perez got the seat? I have my doubts.

Yes, I do think so. Albon has had an awful season - and I doubt many would disagree. Not only the gap to Max, but also the mistakes and poor race performances. I would fully expect that Perez or Hulkenburg would do much better, even if there ultimately remains a gap to Verstappen.

[chillibowl]

a better and/or more experienced team mate may even push Max to a new level.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Would people expect the gap to Max to shrink if Perez got the seat? I have my doubts.

Once he gets up to speed. Yes. How close he can get is another question. Do you think it will grow? I would argue that Perez is outpacing Albon in a lesser car today.

Richard

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by steve_r

Yes, I do think so. Albon has had an awful season - and I doubt many would disagree. Not only the gap to Max, but also the mistakes and poor race performances. I would fully expect that Perez or Hulkenburg would do much better, even if there ultimately remains a gap to Verstappen.

The mistakes granted, I think Perez would remove that element.

But is Perez necessarily going to be comfortable with the car? If not, then what? He got a rep at McLaren for poor work ethic and attitude in adversity which it would seem is the sticking point for a certain Pierre Gasly's return to the fold.

I actually have a hunch that Hulkenberg would be the better fit.

Crazy that the school of talent is in a position where it is choosing between Perez and Hulk but there we are.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Once he gets up to speed. Yes. How close he can get is another question. Do you think it will grow? I would argue that Perez is outpacing Albon in a lesser car today.

Richard

Perez is definitely doing a better job in a lesser car. I can't argue with that.

But then Albon was doing a better job than Gasly in a Toro Rosso. And vice versa.

You don't just plug a driver in and away he goes unfortunately.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by steve_r

Yes, I do think so. Albon has had an awful season - and I doubt many would disagree. Not only the gap to Max, but also the mistakes and poor race performances. I would fully expect that Perez or Hulkenburg would do much better, even if there ultimately remains a gap to Verstappen.

I entirely agree. Both Perez and Hulk have the benefit of way more experience.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by steve_r

Yes, I do think so. Albon has had an awful season - and I doubt many would disagree. Not only the gap to Max, but also the mistakes and poor race performances. I would fully expect that Perez or Hulkenburg would do much better, even if there ultimately remains a gap to Verstappen.

He's currently 9th in the WDC, with 85 points. His best results are two 3rd place podiums in Mugello and Bahrain. His worst result was 15th at Monza and Imola, with one retirement in Germany.

[S griffin]

Considering Albon’s free practice crash, he bounced back to have a solid result and was rewarded with a fortunate podium, although there will still be questions due to him not being closer to Max

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Considering Albon’s free practice crash, he bounced back to have a solid result and was rewarded with a fortunate podium, although there will still be questions due to him not being closer to Max

Yep, the same questions we've been asking for 410 posts....

[GT6]

But he is still there, not sure why but someone must like him

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

He's currently 9th in the WDC, with 85 points. His best results are two 3rd place podiums in Mugello and Bahrain. His worst result was 15th at Monza and Imola, with one retirement in Germany.

Up until Turkey, Max's worst result was 3rd.

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

The mistakes granted, I think Perez would remove that element.

But is Perez necessarily going to be comfortable with the car? If not, then what? He got a rep at McLaren for poor work ethic and attitude in adversity which it would seem is the sticking point for a certain Pierre Gasly's return to the fold.

I actually have a hunch that Hulkenberg would be the better fit.

Crazy that the school of talent is in a position where it is choosing between Perez and Hulk but there we are.

Agree that Hulk is a better fit but Perez's McLaren stint was 7yrs ago..

Originally Posted by GT6

But he is still there, not sure why but someone must like him

Albon's location checks out..

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Up until Turkey, Max's worst result was 3rd.

There you go, it shows the big gap between Max and Albon.

[S griffin]

The big question is: who do Red Bull want in the second seat. Someone to challenge Max or backup Max? More likely the latter, so you’d have to say that maybe that’s why they’ve kept Albon. They know he won’t challenge Max and can also experiment strategies to help Max too

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Agree that Hulk is a better fit but Perez's McLaren stint was 7yrs ago..
.

Fair point and Mclaren were a bit of shambles at the time so maybe we can let him off there.

But there were also issues with Ocon at Force India, much more recently.

On the other hand, he seems to get along fine with more placid drivers like Hulk and drivers he can easily beat like Stroll.

So if he beats Max and one of them has a personality transplant then all is golden.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Fair point and Mclaren were a bit of shambles at the time so maybe we can let him off there.

But there were also issues with Ocon at Force India, much more recently.

On the other hand, he seems to get along fine with more placid drivers like Hulk and drivers he can easily beat like Stroll.

So if he beats Max and one of them has a personality transplant then all is golden.

I always felt Perez got the rough end of the stick in '13. The car was pants that year and he often matched or beat Button. Perez was very keen to impress and was a bit over aggressive which created the opposite effect on the team at times!
Since then he's done a tremendous job in 2nd division equipment and piled up the experience and points.

Like you though I wonder whether Checo, or any other 'deserving' driver would do much better against Max.

The car is a bit of a pain but suits his driving. It has an odd tendency to swap ends leaving corners no matter how much or how little throttle is applied. Albon hasn't got on very well with it but even Max has found it hard work.
Would RB really want any other driver to develop a car differently from Max, even if it makes it more 'plyable'?

[steve_r]

Originally Posted by S griffin

The big question is: who do Red Bull want in the second seat. Someone to challenge Max or backup Max? More likely the latter, so you’d have to say that maybe that’s why they’ve kept Albon. They know he won’t challenge Max and can also experiment strategies to help Max too

Albon is neither challenging Max, nor is he backing up Max.

[S griffin]

They must like using him as a guinea pig though

[Dixie Flatline]

I cannot see how Albon will survive st Red Bull next season. Misses out on the top ten while his teammate misses pole by 0.05 seconds. Overall, his season performance has not been up to par. When the music stops I suspect he will be left without a seat.

[GT6]

Why are red bull waiting? The writing on the wall is beginning to fade

[S griffin]

The noises I hear is that he will be staying after all. But yesterday’s performance will hardly help matters.

[ascarracinguk]

Originally Posted by GT6

Why are red bull waiting? The writing on the wall is beginning to fade

Why rush? They have 2 free agents in Perez and Hulkenberg. Might as well let Alex wait out the season and then evaluate it.

I suspect there’s a lot going on in the background too. If the rumours are to be believed from Sky, then Max camp wants Hulk, Red Bull want Perez so no doubt there’s some negotiating going on somewhere

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by ascarracinguk

Why rush? They have 2 free agents in Perez and Hulkenberg. Might as well let Alex wait out the season and then evaluate it.

I suspect there’s a lot going on in the background too. If the rumours are to be believed from Sky, then Max camp wants Hulk, Red Bull want Perez so no doubt there’s some negotiating going on somewhere

Crikey mustn't upset Max? He'll be off!

Where would he go though?!

Besides what will RB have to offer him anyway?