Formula 1 | Albon: The gap between Perez and Verstappen was no different to mine at the start of 2021

Alex Albon believes that Sergio Perez, who replaced him at Red Bull last year, was the same behind Max Verstappen as he was at the start of the 2021 season.

Albon played a season and a half at Red Bull alongside the Dutchman, but his disappointing results compared to his teammate led to his replacement by Perez.

But the Mexican also failed to reproduce performances similar to those of Verstappen. And his only victory of the season, won in Baku, should have gone to his neighbor in the garage if he hadn’t had a puncture at the very end of the race.

What makes say to the Thai pilot that Perez did not actually do better than him.

« If you look at the gap that existed between Checo and Max at the start of last year, it was no different than the gap that existed with me. And I was getting a lot of criticism for my performances, » Albon said.

While he was able to bounce back at Williams F1 this season, with whom he has also been extended for 2023, Albon believes that having been on the sidelines last year has ultimately benefited him.

« The 2021 break has come at the right time. When you’re not riding you can step back and suddenly you have a better overview. »

“I realized how important it was to get the most out of the car. Sometimes you’re not comfortable with certain settings, but that doesn’t mean they’re not the right ones. had to figure that out. »

Does the Thai think his promotion to Red Bull finally came too early in his career?

« I wouldn’t say that. But with my current experience, for sure I would have seen things from a different perspective back then. »