Horner: ‘Early days’ to make decision on Albon for 2020

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says Red Bull will take its time before making a final decision on who will partner Max Verstappen for the 2020 Formula 1 season.

The Milton Keynes outfit is set to choose between Alexander Albon and Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly to drive alongside Verstappen next season.

After a tough start following his winter promotion to Red Bull, Gasly was demoted back to Red Bull’s squad, with Albon taking his place at the senior team just 12 races into his F1 career.

At the Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said the team would make a call on its 2020 line-up following this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, though Horner downplayed the deadline when he addressed media on Friday.

Asked if Red Bull is leaning towards signing Albon for 2020, Horner replied: “It’s still early days.

“I think the privileged position that we’re in as Red Bull with the ownership of two teams is that we don’t have to make any firm decision about who partners Max until the end of the year.

“They’re all under contract to Red Bull, all of the drivers, so we’ll take our time to make sure we make all the evaluations in readiness for next year.”

Albon has outscored Verstappen by 48 points to 31 across the five races since making his Red Bull debut, while he has been reducing the deficit to the Dutchman in qualifying, highlighted by Albon setting the exact same time as Verstappen during Q3 at Suzuka.

“I think he’s doing a very good job,” Horner explained. “You have to remember this is his first season in Formula 1.

“He’s up against an incredibly tough team-mate in Max and he hasn’t had the benefit of a bunch of testing or anything like that, so I think he’s equipped himself and adapted well.

“His feedback shows a very strong understanding of the car - and as he gains confidence on circuits he’s visiting for the first time, he’s certainly impressed the whole team with his attitude, his application and his performance so far.”

Albon suffered his second practice crash in three races in Mexico City as he lost control of his car at the high-speed Turn 7 seven and hit the wall during FP2, causing him to miss most of the session.