Alexander Albon can currently not match the level that teammate Max Verstappen achieves in the RB16. The Dutchman has been much faster all season and where Albon sometimes swims around in midfield, Verstappen sometimes makes it difficult for the Mercedes. The fact that the nine-time race winner is so much faster has ultimately to do with interpreting the data you collect on the track, in combination with how you can adapt the car to it.
It would therefore make sense not to share too much with your teammate, but according to Albon, communication is very open by both drivers at Red Bull. “We are an open book when we meet and discuss with the engineers,” he says Motorsport. “We speak freely about what we need from the car, and usually we are on the same page, which is nice.”
Yet it is not the case that Albon and Verstappen do much together during a race weekend. “At this level in motorsport, everyone holds their cards to their chest. It doesn’t really happen that one person helps the other on their way, “Albon emphasizes.” But on the other hand, he certainly isn’t hiding anything from me. He doesn’t play such political games, not even at all. He is always very open when we are talking to each other. ”
Having a strong teammate is therefore an advantage, because Albon has good data. On the other hand, it also means that you are constantly being judged. “On the one hand, you will of course compete against one of the fastest men on the track, if not the fastest. He is always on the limit, from the first practice to the race. So of course you will not have it easy. when you drive next to him, but at the same time, and that’s how I look at it, thanks to him I have the best imaginable data to study. ”
Verstappen and Red Bull do not have to despair by the departure of Honda. All this and more in the latest episode of RacingNews365’s F1 podcast with Tom Coronel, Ruud Dimmers and host Thomas van Groningen.
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