In the world of Formula 1, Alex Albon has made a name for himself as a dependable driver in the midfield, leading the way for Williams. However, his journey to this position has been marked by highs and lows, particularly during his time with Red Bull, where his career encountered a significant setback in late 2020.
Albon initially burst onto the scene at Red Bull in impressive fashion, swiftly promoted from Toro Rosso in mid-2019 as a replacement for Pierre Gasly. But as time went on, Albon’s form began to wane, and his confidence took a beating, partly due to unfortunate incidents involving collisions with Lewis Hamilton.
The first of these incidents occurred at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix. Albon was running in second place when Hamilton, attempting to overtake Gasly for third, made contact with Albon, spinning him out and relegating him to a disappointing 14th place finish. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for his involvement in the collision.
A similar incident unfolded during the first race of the COVID-affected 2020 season, the Austrian Grand Prix. Albon, having just pitted for soft tires before a late Safety Car period, seemed poised to challenge for victory. However, as he went around the outside of Hamilton at Turn 4, Hamilton ran wide and clipped Albon’s rear, sending him spinning into the gravel. Shortly after, Albon retired from the race due to an electrical issue. Once again, Hamilton was handed a five-second penalty, finishing in fourth place.
“These collisions have left me frustrated!” Albon exclaimed over the team radio after the second collision in three races.
Helmut Marko, who played a role in the decision to replace Albon with Sergio Perez for the following year, believes that these incidents significantly impacted Albon’s confidence and self-belief.
“Alex was really unlucky,” Marko shared on the Inside Line podcast. “In Brazil, he was fighting for second position when Hamilton turned him around. He lost his podium finish. The incident in Austria was more severe, as Alex was fighting for the win when he was once again taken out by Hamilton. These incidents severely hit his confidence… massively.”
Marko emphasized the need for drivers who could fight for championships, citing the importance of self-assurance. Consequently, Red Bull opted for a lineup change, with Albon sitting out the 2021 season as the team’s reserve driver.
During his reserve role, Albon made valuable contributions to Red Bull, particularly through his work in the team’s simulator and development efforts, which ultimately played a part in Max Verstappen’s title victory. As a token of appreciation, Red Bull supported Albon in the driver market, leading to his current position with Williams.
While the road to success has been challenging for Alex Albon, his determination and commitment to the sport have not wavered. As he continues to showcase his skills at Williams, Formula 1 fans eagerly await his future accomplishments on the track.
