Alexander Albon has explained the price of being Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull, calling the environment a “difficile”.
The Williams driver spent a season and a half alongside the Dutchman at the Milton Keynes outfit, replacing Pierre Gasly midway through his 2019 season.
However, the 28-year-old driver also failed to adapt to the internal competition posed by Verstappen, securing two podiums during his tenure at Red Bull. He was ultimately sidelined in favor of Sergio Perez for 2021 before joining Grove's team the following year.
As scrutiny of the Mexican's successor reaches fever pitch, Albon was asked why he thought life alongside Verstappen was so difficult.
“Yes, it's tricky. First of all, you have to appreciate Max's talent, that's the first thing.”
“Secondly, it's not always very comfortable to drive this car. I don't know where it is now, for Sergio Perez it looks even worse than for me or Pierre at the time, I didn't not really followed.”
“But I've said it several times before, I think Max likes an F1 that's quite different from the others – it's not easy for other drivers to adapt to it, and that's just the price you have to pay. You're constantly in the spotlight, and that's a tough place to be.”
“For anyone, it won't be easy to be his teammate. He's a killer.”
Now Williams wants to end the year on a high note, but Albon knows it won't be easy: “We had a very difficult series of races. Qatar was not a lack of luck, we just lacked pace. We had difficulties, this is due to the fact that the others are making changes and we are focus on next year.”
“But for this weekend, we're going to try to take advantage of it and make the most of it. We're going to see what we can do with the car. Obviously it would be fantastic to score points, but we're going to see what that we can do.”
Carlos Sainz said Albon was a good driver and seemed like a nice person, after asking his former teammates. The Thai also praises the Spaniard's level and can't wait to see him join the team.
“No! I don't ask my colleagues what they think of me. But it's very nice of him. Carlos is a very good driver, I think he will represent a great challenge. He did a great job. very good season, perhaps his best in Formula 1.”
“He's coming at a good time, and I can't wait for him to test the car. He's in the car on Monday, for a bit, and then for testing on Tuesday. I can't wait to hear what the differences are between our car and the Ferrari.”
Asked about his plans for winter, Albon laments that the winter break between seasons is getting shorter and shorter: “I'm not going to do much, I'm going to spend some time with friends, I'm going to go to Japan.”
“And I'm going to prepare for the next season. We don't have much time, right? I have to be at the factory from mid-January. There's Christmas, and two weeks later we're back, so I'm going to 'train, train and train.'
