F1 | Red Bull got “the karma they deserved” in Abu Dhabi, says Albon
RedBull’s reserve -and Williams’ future- driver Alex Albon thinks the team’s luck in the crucial final moments of the championship balanced out Verstappen’s hard luck during the rest of the season.
Last month Max Verstappen was crowned World Champion at the end of a very controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in which he took the lead from Lewis Hamilton and claimed victory on the last lap.
The seven-time-world-champion was on course to his 8th title, when things turned around in Red Bull’s favor: a late Safety Car was called out to clear the track from Nicholas Latifi’s Williams, giving Verstappen the chance to switch to a fresh set of tyres and easily take on Hamilton after a poorly managed last lap restart.
Alex Albon, who got a closer look at Red Bull’s season being their reserve driver for 2021, believes that what happened in Yas Marina balanced out other episodes throughout the year when things didn’t play out in Verstappen’s favour.
“I understand both sides of the story, but I have to say I’m a bit of a believer,” he told Motorsport.nl.
“I feel many decisions or moments this year have gone against Max.”
Episodes like being taken out by Hamilton in Silverstone, to getting caught up in the first lap mess initiated by Bottas’ lock up at the Hungaroring and Jeddah’s penalty.
“Just look at Silverstone, Hungary, Jeddah, and even the first lap in Abu Dhabi. So yes, we were incredibly lucky at the last minute but, at the same time, I think we earned that luck,” continued Albon.
“Nothing against Lewis and Mercedes but, in a way, we got the karma we deserved as a team that Sunday. That’s how most things balance out over a season.”
