Albon's pain, Hulkenberg's gain?

 

by Guy Stimpson, 1st Oct 2020

Ever since I first saw Alex Albon grinning nerdily in the Torro Rosso garage, I knew I liked him. Here was no cash-flashing flyboy, no glitzy superstar; this was just a normal lad doing his best and hoping to make his Mum proud. I really like that about Albon, that slightly nervous but open-hearted and honest authenticity which, at times, other sportspeople could really benefit from. 

Alex Albon in 2019. Looks like someone hanging about with his mates outside Tesco, not preparing to enter one of the world's most prestigious sporting events.

Yet we all know that being nice isn't always a useful trait in a Formula One driver; quite the opposite in fact. A ruthless, self-determined streak is present in all the greats. Schumacher certainly had a little flash of nastiness that he could deploy when needed, despite being full of smiles and jocular good humour away from the steering wheel. It is this streak, among other things, which allows these great drivers to achieve what they do. As sad as I am to admit it, Alex Albon simply doesn't have this mean streak. Worse than that, I suspect he's a little bit shy behind the wheel. This may not be evident when he's racing closely with the likes of Norris, Russell and the others of their era, but these lads are mates who, regardless of the temperament on track, know that after the race they'll have a fist bump and head off together for a pint (or whatever is more befitting of a group of F1 drivers in 2020). Pitted against the likes of Lewis Hamilton and co. though, it just seems as though Albon is intimidated, perhaps, or reluctant to upset anyone he doesn't know so well.

The tail end of 2019 showed a great deal of promise for Albon. He'd performed better in his Torro Rosso than Pierre Gasly had in the Red Bull in the first half of the year and, except from poor luck racing against the newly crowned six time world champion, could've secured his maiden podium. Perhaps it was this encounter, along with a similar incident in early 2020, which has led to such a disappointing year for Alex. Regardless, now that he has failed to deliver at Portimão and Imola it seems that Red Bull will be forced to look elsewhere for a partner for Max Verstappen.

Albon and Verstappen 2020. The Thai driver has been unable to get anywhere near his teammate this season.

Red Bull Racing's team principal Christian Horner has to be careful here though. In Pierre Gasly we have seen something interesting. Gasly really failed to meet expectations in the more prestigious of the Red Bull owned teams in early 2019, yet almost as soon as he returned to Torro Rosso he began to impress, an uptick in form which has only improved into 2020 with a win in Monza and a fourth place qualification in Imola among the highlights, resulting in the Alpha Tauri team confirming him for the upcoming 2021 season. Albon too showed promise in the Torro Rosso, enough promise to eject Gasly from his seat mid-season, before languishing uncomfortably at RBR. 

In replacing Albon now though, Horner's team may be in for some uncomfortable news. If they find the same drop in form, the same failure to adapt to the car in a third driver, the conclusion will be inescapable. Perhaps, alas, it is not the drivers at all who are the problem, but either the car or the team which is making it impossible for RBR's second driver to get anywhere close to their first. It is well understood that the car is well suited to Max Verstappen. It may be that what suits Max is simply too alien for other drivers to get accustomed to. An even worse prospect is that the car itself is fine, but the environment within the team is so toxic that regardless of skill, drivers are failing because their confidence is being sapped by the working atmosphere around them. I'm not sure I'd be upsetting anyone to point out that, in my estimation, Verstappen can manage just fine in what is a renowned "pressure cooker"  environment with his tough attitude and an unsusceptibility to the opinions of others. Further teammates may not be so tolerant.

So what are Red Bull to do? If they risk another member of their current drivers or a member of their young driver programme, they may find themselves in the same position with no idea where the problem lies. The new rules regime of 2022 is on the horizon and RBR will want a strong, harmonious driver line up by the time that begins.

Sergio Perez has had a strong showing in 2020, looking on for fourth place and possibly a podium, he was left further down the field in Imola today after pitting under the safety car.

The only sensible response then, in my eyes, is to choose either Nico Hulkenberg or Sergio Perez, the former without a seat at all and the latter with none for next year. Both drivers are well regarded, though neither as highly regarded as Verstappen, both are experienced and both are as used to failure as they are to success through years of mediocre equipment. But one thing is for certain: neither will be intimidated by Max or indeed by anyone else in the team. Their skills are also well proven on track. With either of these drivers Red Bull Racing will be able to diagnose their second driver dilemma. If the car is the issue, neither Hulkenberg or Perez would have any qualms about stating so quite categorically. Similarly, either would just as quickly point out any shortcomings in the garage crews or management. They're old hands, they've been through the wars and they have no reason to take stick from anyone.

Nico Hulkenberg has had a stellar year considering he was dropped by Renault in 2019 and was left without a seat. He has stood in for both Racing Point drivers as a reserve for sickness and has performed well on all three occasions.

The final possibility is, of course, that the problem was the driver all along. How much would we enjoy seeing either of these drivers in one of the best seats on the grid? I believe either of these drivers would be an excellent choice for the team, and I hope for both of them that they get drives for 2021, but for me one factor just slightly means that RBR should choose Hulkenberg over Perez: that missing podium! Sergio Perez has taken podiums for several teams. Though he will still be hungry for wins he's also likely to be realistic. He'll know that he'll be playing second fiddle and he'll know he'll be picking up the scraps from Max's table. Nico Hulkenberg on the other hand still has a desperate hunger for that first podium to which he's been so close to so many times before, and I'm guessing he'll have that little extra edge which will make him precisely what Red Bull Racing need in a second driver.

Hulkenberg podium, anyone? It could be the story of the season...