Alexander Albon is putting the disappointment of missing out on his first Formula 1 podium behind him this weekend as he races at the Red Bull Ring for the Styrian Grand Prix.
The Anglo-Thai driver was challenging Lewis Hamilton for second place late in the day during last Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix when the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver was pitched into a spin by the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team racer, relegating him to the rear of the field.
Albon would then go onto retire due to a mechanical issue, ending Red Bull’s chances of scoring points in their home event, but with the Styrian Grand Prix coming this weekend at the same circuit, there is a lot of potential for him to improve and fight for that elusive podium.
“I feel ok. In some ways I tried to switch off my thoughts after Sunday’s race and take the positives from the weekend,” said Albon, who has twice been spun around by Hamilton whilst fighting for the podium in the past three events. “The car is in a good window, we’ve still got a bit of work to do but we’re there and we can fight – that’s the main thing.
“The biggest shame is we didn’t capitalise on the race and we didn’t get the points we deserved, but I’m going into the weekend confident. I feel like there are areas to improve on in myself and as a Team, but I’m feeling good and ticking down the days to Friday.
“There will be a slightly different atmosphere this weekend because we know the track and the car, nothing has really changed from the last race, so it will just be about fine tuning things and working on the areas in the car Max [Verstappen] and I have been talking about.”
Albon says there is less anticipation coming into the Styrian Grand Prix than the Austrian Grand Prix as all of the teams were able to find a rhythm that should continue into this weekend.
However, for Albon and Red Bull, the plan is to take the fight to Mercedes who were the dominant team throughout the opening race of 2020.
“I think there’s less anticipation heading into this weekend now we’re in a rhythm,” said Albon. “We know where the car is at, driving and set-up wise, we know what’s needed, so there are less unknowns and now it’s just time to do the business.
“Get into the weekend, fine tune things and close the gap to Mercedes.”
