Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is again putting pressure on Alex Albon to improve if he wants to keep his seat in 2021.
Difficulties adapting to this year’s RB16 have meant the Thai driver has failed to really push on from the performances he produced after moving up from Toro Rosso last season.
Despite persistent questions over his seat security, Red Bull has continued to support Albon with Marko making it clear Alex will see out 2020 where he is.
“At present, we have no problems in the Constructors’ Championship because with Max [Verstappen] and [Albon] we are in a good place,” the Austrian told Sky Deutschland.
“The fights behind us are between Renault, McLaren and Racing Point who keep taking points off each other. Our second place is not in danger so at present we don’t see any necessity to act.”
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However, the Red Bull chief’s tone has begun to change, recently admitting Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg are possible options if the team decides to change.
And now Marko has suggested Albon isn’t delivering enough to help Red Bull achieve their ultimate goal.
“Our aim for next year is to fight for the championship, so we will need consistency,” he explained. “Of course, we realise that Max is not really being pushed, and we need to know where the limit of our car lies.
“In fast corners, the telemetry shows that Albon is on a par with Max, but then there are one or two corners where he loses time excessively, which brings us back to his consistency.
“Because you don’t know when or where it will happen, that is a concern which we cannot afford when we chase the championship.”
That being said: “If Albon manages to develop himself further and makes constant improvements, then he is a candidate for our car in 2021,” he concluded.
Albon is currently yet to outqualify and finish ahead of Verstappen in a race where both have finished this season and sits 83 points behind the Dutchman in the Drivers’ Championship.