Alex Albon has received the blessing of Lewis Hamilton to keep his seat at Red Bull next season.
The 23-year-old has had a meteoric rise over the past 12 months having gone from Formula E seat with Nissan to joining Toro Rosso for 2019.
His climb then continued after the summer break replacing Pierre Gasly at the senior team and has since scored top-six finishes in every race, outscoring teammate Max Verstappen in the process.
“He was driving really well, not making any, or too many mistakes,” Hamilton said of Albon.
“I think this year has been… it’s a real challenge to go up against a driver [Verstappen] that’s been spoken so highly of by so many people and built up onto a pedestal.
“And to come in so young, and with all the difficulties he’s had in his life as well – his life story is quite an interesting one – against all adversity. It was quite cool to just sit and view him for a second.”
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The noises from Red Bull have suggested Albon is the favourite to keep the seat for 2020 but Hamilton hopes the British-born Thai driver gets a fair chance.
“He’s got a bright future ahead of him. I hope Red Bull give him the support over the years,” the newly crowned six-time champion continued.
“It’s very, very important because they often spit drivers out pretty quick if they don’t always do the job. I hope they’re good to him.”
When asked about Hamilton’s comments, Albon was understandably flattered.
“It was very kind of him,” he told Sky Sports.
“He is someone, I think, that all of us, especially people my age, have looked up to when we were going through our ranks so for Lewis to say that was very nice.”
As for his future, Alex also played down the ongoing wait for a decision.
“Of course it would be nice to have an answer but I’m not too worried about it,” Albon said. “I’m still feeling comfortable enough to know that I will still be in F1 next year so we’ll see how it goes.
“The pressure comes from myself. To be up against one of the quickest, if not the quickest driver in Formula 1 right now, it’s never easy. The way I see it, it’s more of an opportunity.
“I’ve been given a chance this year and, at the same time, I’ve got a very good teammate to learn from.
“I’m trying to enjoy the process, my life here, as I know it won’t last forever.”