via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 28, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Belgian Grand Prix as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez celebrates after placing second REUTERS/Johanna Geron
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 28, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Belgian Grand Prix as Red Bull’s Sergio Perez celebrates after placing second REUTERS/Johanna Geron
Red Bull doesn’t arguably have the best track record when it comes to how they treat their academy drivers. Pierre Gasly, Daniil Kvyat, and Alex Albon have been just a few examples of this. That being said, you’d expect at least the drivers to show each other some love. But that wasn’t the case either!
Formula 1 recently released its annual secret Santa video. While almost all the drivers really enjoyed and appreciated the gifts they received, one ex-Red Bull driver was left fuming when he got his. As it turns out, either Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez was a very lazy secret Santa!
via Imago
The first race of 2020 has already been run…and won, with Max Verstappen taking the opening victory of the season in Melbourne. Four days before the official start of the Formula 1 season at the Australian Grand Prix, the Dutchman took on Aston Martin Red Bull Racing teammate Alex Albon in a series of challenges, including a motorised cooler boxes race at speeds of up to 25kph, hosted by Winter Olympic snowboard medallist Scotty James. // F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon at the Aston Martin Red Bull Racing ‘Cooler Runnings’ race at Station Pier in Melbourne, Australia on March 11, 2020. // Andy Green / Red Bull Content Pool
When Albon unwrapped his gift, which he received from Perez, he didn’t look too pleased. In the ‘F1 Grid Does Secret Santa 2022’ YouTube video from Formula 1, he said, “One slipper? This is cheating, okay!”
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“Red Bull bought these slippers for me at some market. I think it was here, last year. They haven’t even bought anything, this is the laziest gift I’ve ever seen and I have to say I’m disappointed in either Max or Checo for this.”
As Albon read the card that came with the gifts, he realized that the present was from Sergio Perez.
Alex Albon didn’t have the best of careers at Red Bull. That being said, at Williams, he’s arguably turned a corner in his F1 career. And a testament to that is the high words of praise coming from a former F1 World Champion.
Ex- Red Bull protégé, Alex Albon has emerged as a real team leader at Williams
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You don’t often get second chances in Formula 1. But Albon did. In 2022, he replaced the outgoing George Russell in the Williams FW44. And what he’s achieved with the team is nothing short of commendable, according to Williams Racing Brand Ambassador and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button.
via Reuters
Formula One F1. Pre-Season Testing. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. February 23, 2022. Williams’ Alexander Albon during testing. REUTERS/Albert Gea.
He told the Williams Warm-up show, “Alex’s involvement in the team, how he’s come in, really been a team player and the team have really got behind him and very supportive of him. You can really see his skill in terms of speed, but also the way that he works for the team and builds a team around him.”
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Can Alex Albon bring Williams back up through the field and carve his name amongst the legends that have raced for the historic team?
