Martin Brundle disagrees with Marko after wildcard Verstappen team-mate vetoed

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Martin Brundle has suggested that Red Bull may regret letting Alex Albon go after the Thai-British driver enjoyed an impressive start to the weekend in Mexico. These comments are in direct opposition to Helmut Marko’s claims with the team’s advisor claiming that he ‘had his chance’.

The Williams driver has recorded 25 of the team’s 26 points this season, dominating rookie team-mate Logan Sargeant and establishing himself as one of the star performers of the 2023 campaign.

Albon was at his scintillating best during FP1 in Mexico City on Friday afternoon, finishing less than a tenth of a second behind the fastest man of the session, Max Verstappen. This lap time put him ahead of home hero and the Dutchman’s Red Bull team-mate, Sergio Perez.

This impressive pace led Sky Sports F1 commentator and pundit Brundle to suggest that Christian Horner and advisor Marko may be regretting the decision to axe him from the operation at Milton Keynes.

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Discussing the 27-year-old’s form after FP1, Brundle said: “He’s settled there and he feels comfortable. It’s the [story of the] stick and the carrot.

“Some drivers do need an arm around their shoulder and reassurance and to be listened to carefully and to feel they’re valued within a team. I bet Red Bull wish they still had access to him.” 

However, when asked about whether or not Red Bull would be looking to bring Albon back into their F1 operation earlier this season, Marko was dismissive of the possibility. 

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Posed the question of a Red Bull return by Viaplay, Marko explained: “Max’s teammate has a very tough and difficult life. Albon has already had his chance. He has improved remarkably since then, but at the moment there is no driver who is on Max’s level.”

Albon spent 18 months with the reigning constructor champions after moving into the senior team halfway through his rookie year but was eventually ousted ahead of the 2021 season in favour of signing Perez, who had been let go by long-term employers Racing Point (now Aston Martin).

When the 27-year-old made his return to the F1 grid with Williams in 2022 Red Bull held a one-year recall option on him, meaning they could re-sign him within the first 12 months of his contract. However, that option has since expired and Albon is enjoying life as a team leader within James Vowles’ team. 

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