Retaining Albon the 'smartest' way to continue - Verstappen

Max Verstappen believes that Red Bull has made the "smartest" call in opting to keep Alexander Albon for the 2020 season.

Albon joined Red Bull midway through the 2019 campaign, stepping in for Pierre Gasly, who struggled at the outfit after replacing Daniel Ricciardo. 

Albon has managed to score top-six finishes in every race so far for Red Bull, leaving the energy drink squad to make the call after the US Grand Prix to retain him for a full season next year.

MOREAlbon labels Red Bull 2020 confirmation as 'crazy'Verstappen: Red Bull doesn't need rain to be competitive in Brazil

Speaking about the decision, Verstappen said: “He’s a nice guy. I think for him, the last 12 months have been a bit of a rollercoaster.

“Of course, he’s very laid back, very relaxed and people like him in the team. He’s easy-going, which I think helps. 

"He’s quick, he’s doing his job, he’s getting the points. I think it was the smartest way of continuing.”

Albon 'didn't know' when Red Bull decision would be made

Albon spoke on Thursday about his "short" phone-call with Dr Helmut Marko, who informed him that he had the seat for the 2019 season.

The Thai-British driver says he wasn't sure when the decision was going to be made, but affirmed that his primary focus was on the race weekends. 

"I didn't know when the decision was going to be made," he said. "For me, it was thinking about the races that I had and making sure I was happy with how I was progressing. 

"I think that was an important thing, to show that I am making steps forward. In terms of when I was going to get the call, I knew it was going to happen, but I wasn't stressed when. 

"As I said before many times, I was just focused on the job at hand."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 3,445
  • Podiums 127
  • Grand Prix 233
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar