Alex Albon and Red Bull hailed his best weekend for the team after a strong fourth place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Thai driver lost time in the early laps behind Lando Norris but once clear of the McLaren, was able to keep pace with the Mercedes’ and just fell short of catching Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages.
“It was a couple of laps maybe we could have got past,” he suggested post-race. “It was just tricky.
“I struggled a bit at the beginning of the hard tyre and I thought ‘these guys are going quick’ and when I knew how many laps I had to do on them I was probably a bit too safe and had a bit too much juice left at the end.
“It was a good weekend from me and obviously a good moment.”
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Albon’s performance also came after one of his best qualifyings compared to teammate Max Verstappen and he feels that has highlighted the progress he and Red Bull have made together.
“I feel like it’s been my best weekend, in terms of performance,” Albon stated. “I want to say thanks for a lot of support from the guys at the factory and here.
“We didn’t give up, we kept trying to find solutions and getting me more comfortable with the car, and it is a tricky car to drive.
“But to keep pushing and to have my best result, obviously under all the pressures of the weekend and everything going on, I’m proud of myself, and I felt like it was a good closing end to the year.
“If it’s enough or not, it’s not mine to say really, but of course, I feel like I’ve done everything.
“I’ll leave it in the hands of the others to decide.”
One of those tasked with deciding Albon’s future is Red Bull boss Christian Horner and he praised the 24-year-old.
“Alex has done a very good job today,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s probably been his strongest collective weekend of the season, and he’s driven a good race – he was putting Lewis under pressure at the end of the race there.
“That now gives us a complete set of information now to go away and analyse it, and work out what we’re going to do.”
Asked when the decision between Albon, Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, who can’t be totally ruled out, will come, Horner replied…
“I’m sure you guys will know as soon as we’ve made it. It’s not going to take too long.”