2019 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing - Honda F1 Team

[santos]

Didn't see that coming… I rate him very high. Every one speaks about Norris and Russel, but i think Albon is doing very well at Toro Rosso. But i thought that if Red Bull would replace Gasly, they would give the place to Kvyat.

[Karim28]

Let's see what Albon would bring with .. Gasly did a good 2018 season either.
But always we said that Gasly hadn't the pure talent that could allow him to compete Max or the 2 other teams.
Let's hope it's not too early for Albon to be promoted.
However , It is a superb courage from RBR managers to promote a driver who did only 12 races in F1 and a year ago was in F2 .. Not all teams have this such courage.
Albon should understand it's not necessary to match Max's speed .. all what is required from him is to secure at lease P6 in every race coming now and make troubles for Ferraris as much as possible

[dren]

Good choice by Red bull i think.
This year was always planned as a building year and they've done better than expected on one side of the garage.

Next year is the important one, it makes sense to put Albon in for the rest of the year instead of Kvyat because Albon is an unknown in top class machinary.

They know what Kvyat can do and how he drives. So this is just a test for next year, if Albon does well he'll get the seat next year. If not then Kvyat will get it next year instead.

Seems like the logical thing to do if their aim is to challenge Mercedes next year.

I agree. It gives them more data to make a choice on the seat for 2020.

[Wouter]

From the RBR site.

Alexander Albon is being promoted to the Team to drive alongside Max, while Pierre will return to the Red Bull sister team, Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Red Bull are in the unique position of having four talented Formula One drivers under contract who can be rotated between the Team and Toro Rosso. The Team will use the next nine races to evaluate Alex’s performance in order to make an informed decision as to who will drive alongside Max in 2020.

Everyone at the Team looks forward to welcoming Alex and supporting him during the next phase of his F1 career.

[etusch]

I think Redbull had have best decision. If Albon fails there is nothing to be lost because of Gasly was already failing. But if he do well it is a gain. I hope he will be better in worst condition and as a rookie he has more tolerance I think.

[Jolle]

First time since Lewis Hamilton someone is in a race winning car in his debut season. Bold move from RedBull. Gasly and Kvyat can have some "Post Marko" group therapy together at Toro Rosso.

I hope for Albon he can score some sixth places right away, behind the Ferrari's and close the gap to Verstappen during the second half of the season to secure a 2020 spot.

Does wonders what RedBull wants to do with STR in 2020. This year they have two drivers that they discarded for the top team in the past so they'll need new talent there for next year.

quite funny by the way, from the four RB drivers on the grid, VER is still the youngest....

[selvam_e2002]

They afraid of putting Kyat along with Max. Albon will be next Gassly.

[selvam_e2002]

RB are screwing their drivers. last year Hartly now Gassly. Who will take him if he resign from RB? Gassly career is owner in F1. better to look out side of F1.

[Big Tea]

Afraid it is too soon for Albon. Depending of course on what hos brief is. Has he been told to just get in an get used to the car and new position or will he be under pressure to get better results than Gasly?

No harm just letting him find his feet I suppose, but to be into the lions den could ruin him.

[Capharol]

I can't really say if its to soon for Alex, because the lack of data.
But I am suprised, although in hindsight the choice is not a suprise.

as already been told they know what KVY can do, GAS failed big time (although he looked promising), now ALB can show if he really has the talent to be a F1 driver for the next 9 races, if it doesn't nothing is lost and RB can look outside for a 2nd driver for 2020, if ALB does the job they have a fixed line up for 2020 with Max as a WDC contender and ALB as a good "Wingman" to aim for WCC aswell

[rscsr]

RB are screwing their drivers. last year Hartly now Gassly. Who will take him if he resign from RB? Gassly career is owner in F1. better to look out side of F1.

I wouldn't call it screwing their drivers in this instance. Gasly just didn't perform. At all. Gasly is usually a second a lap slower than Verstappen. And it doesn't seem to get better. And it is also Gasly's second season.

[Nova]

Will give some interesting information. How will Albon do in RB? How will Kyvat stack up against Gasly? How difficult is it to go straight into a race winning car? Look forward to the next races.

[dren]

I was a bit surprised at how off the pace Gasly was. I wasn't expecting him to best Max, but at least be within a few tenths. If Albon doesn't stick around with the top cars, I expect Kvyat to get the nod next year.

[selvam_e2002]

RB are screwing their drivers. last year Hartly now Gassly. Who will take him if he resign from RB? Gassly career is owner in F1. better to look out side of F1.

I wouldn't call it screwing their drivers in this instance. Gasly just didn't perform. At all. Gasly is usually a second a lap slower than Verstappen. And it doesn't seem to get better. And it is also Gasly's second season.

I don't think it is second season with RB. He just completed ~10 races and they are judging that he is not good.
Even in a company they will give 1 year time to prove your self. But RB is not giving much time to him to understand the car and environment. You have to develop the driver not degrade a driver and his career.

from outside i.e from fan point of view, RB is not supporting second driver. They concentrate only number 1 driver example Vettel, now it is Max. If they do like this, upcoming new drivers will afraid of signing RB junior program.

Basics is: you need to develop a driver not degrade or demote them because they are bring drivers from their own school.

[Datco]

I would have rather went for Kvyat. Albons fast but like Gasly has not demonstrated enough aggression, overtaking and wheel to wheel racing other than with his own team mate and Gasly. Like Gasly I think he will be fast in free air but get stuck behind McLaren and Alfa. I hope I am wrong. But as others have mentioned maybe they just want to test him I a high pressure environment quali and race before they make a decision on next year. Bottas may become available, and they know he is a good in quali in a top team against a top team mate