‘Not to throw shade but…’ – F1 star Alex Albon explains the problem of being team-mates with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen

EX-RED BULL driver Alex Albon has explained the problem of being team-mates with double Formula One world champion, Max Verstappen.

Albon, 26, raced alongside Verstappen, 25, for a season-and-a-half between 2019 and 2021.

PAAlex Albon has explained the problem with being Max Verstappen’s team-mate[/caption]

EPAThe Red Bull car is tailor-made for Max Verstappen, the Thai-British driver says[/caption]

However, the Thai-British driver struggled in the Red Bull car compared to the flying Dutchman.

And in 2021, Albon was demoted to the role of test and reserve driver with Red Bull with his seat being taken by Sergio Perez, who still partners Verstappen today.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Williams driver Albon has explained the challenges of being the team-mate of Verstappen, who is hoping to win a third world crown in a row.

Albon says the Red Bull car is built to suit Verstappen, which can be challenging for the No2.

Writing on the Players’ Tribune, Albon said: “This isn’t to throw shade at anyone at Red Bull Racing or Max or anything, honestly.

“But the car is set up in a unique way that is built around the lead driver, and that’s Max.

“And, look, I totally get why. I mean, when all is said and done, he might be the greatest driver of all time.

“But he has a very distinct style of driving, and he likes the car set up a certain way that’s hard for a lot of drivers to sync up with.

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“Of course, you can tinker and tweak your own car, but just the Red Bull in general is suited to Max’s style.

“I like a lot of front end and nose. I’ve been teammates with George and Charles and I’ve always had way more nose than them.

“Basically think front-end sensitivity. And when I got into the Red Bull … I mean there was so much nose on the thing that if you blew on the wheel the car would turn.

“If you play Call of Duty, or a game like that, turn your sensitivity up to the highest it will go. That’s what it’s like to drive that car.

“And like I said, I completely understand why.

“Max was, at the time, a future world champion. It was clear for all to see.

“So, of course, you’re going to build your car how he likes.

“But for a guy like me, who had driven 12 F1 races his entire life, in a completely different car, on a different team, it was a bit of an adjustment.

“And I felt like I did O.K.!! I only finished worse than sixth once the rest of the year with Red Bull, and I was getting up to speed with everything as best I could.

“But F1 is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business most of the time. And even though I didn’t feel out of place at Red Bull, the next season wasn’t easy.

“The pandemic impacted everything, and I felt I really needed that extra time with the car that we lost. It was a massive break between Abu Dhabi and the first race.

“But I understood it was difficult on everyone and I had to put my head down and perform.”

Albon turned in a strong showing in pre-season testing, with the 2023 campaign set to get underway in Bahrain this weekend.

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