Going strong
Boss Horner believes Thai will get stronger
Red Bull chief sees untapped potential in Thailand’s Albon
LONDON: Red Bull see plenty of untapped potential in Alexander Albon and are happy with the British-born Thai, according to team boss Christian Horner.
Williams driver George Russell defended his friend and rival at the weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, saying he was “being made to look like an idiot and he’s absolutely not” after Albon qualified 13th.
The Thai, a Formula One rookie last year alongside established race winner Max Verstappen, ultimately put in a strong performance to finish fifth while his Dutch teammate was second.
“I’m very pleased with Alex. He’s picked up a bit of criticism which has been very harsh on him,” Horner told Sky Sports. “We made a mistake in the timing [in qualifying], we put too much pressure on him. We have to take responsibility to that.
“He’s done the passing manoeuvres when he needed to, he’s responded very well. I really believe that Alex has got a lot more potential that we just haven’t uncovered yet.”
Albon has yet to stand on the podium but is fifth in the championship. Verstappen has already enjoyed two podium finishes this season.
Horner recognised the Red Bull was a difficult car to drive at the moment, with both drivers spinning frequently and struggling in practice in Hungary.
“Max’s ability to drive around those problems, that’s experience on Max’s side that Alex doesn’t have,” said the principal. “He [Albon] will get, and is getting, stronger and stronger.”
‘SUPER-WEIRD’ SILVERSTONE Lewis Hamilton expects Silverstone to feel “super-weird” as he heads back to
Britain on top of the Formula One world championship standings.
The first three races of the season in Austria and Hungary were held without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic and that will remain the case at what was the best attended circuit on the calendar last year.
Silverstone will host the British Grand Prix on Aug 2, followed by the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix the weekend after.
Britain’s Hamilton spoke before winning Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix for Mercedes of how much energy he had gained from just seeing a few fans at the airport in Budapest and how much they were missed at the track.
“The British Grand Prix is the best grand prix, particularly because of the fans, the thousands that turn up and really create the spectacle,” said the sixtime world champion.
“So it’s going to be super-weird. That is something I think I am still coming to terms with.”
Speaking after the 86th win of his career, and record eighth in Hungary, Hamilton said he understood the circumstances and was just grateful to be able to go racing again.
“But absolutely, the atmosphere for me, it’s night and day different,” he said of racing past empty grandstands in the ‘new normal.’
Hamilton has won a record six times at Silverstone, celebrating in the past by crowd-surfing and soaking up the applause and warmth of the fans.
With Mercedes in a class of their own, and the circuit hosting two races backto-back, there is every likelihood of him adding to his tally.
“The whole year... it’s the highlight of my year, the support is insane,” he said.
“It grows every year and I get to interact with the fans differently on that weekend and it’s such an honour and privilege to be able to perform well and win a grand prix in your home country.”