As we move into a period of great uncertainty for Red Bull, having recently announced that their partnership with engine supplier Honda is coming to an end after this season. Having no clear replacement for next season, we’re going to look at another uncertainty for next season Red Bulls second seat.
Alex Albon has had a tough season thus far for the Milton Keynes based racing outfit. He has consistently been miles off the pace of his team mate Max Verstappen, which along with the stellar season that former Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly is having for sister team AlphaTauri has lead to more than a few questions about the English born Thai drivers future.
So what does the future hold for Red Bull and the Albon, well were going to take a look at the options.
#1 Nico Hülkenberg
The German would be the outside shot for this seat as Red Bull rarely take drivers from outside of their junior programme, but they are looking for someone that can push and get the best out of Max Verstappen and Hülkenberg could definitely do that.
Having lost his seat at Renault at the end of the 2019 season to Esteban Ocon, Hűlkenberg has filled in for both Sergio Perez and Lance stroll at Racing point this season. His most recent at the Eiffel Grand Prix on short notice for Stroll after he fell ill. Despite Qualifying 20th and last on the grid Nico put in a stellar race to finish 8th and help Racing Point take 3rd in the constructors championship.
Hülkenberg could definitely push Verstappen in there chase of the dominant Mercedes, especially if Red Bull can secure a competitive engine for next season. Will Red Bull brake ranks and sign the German for next season?
#2 Yuki Tsunoda
The young Carlin driver is currently 3rd in the F2 championship having won two races this season. The Japanese driver will also test for Red Bulls sister team AlphaTauri in the end-of-season rookie test in Abu Dhabi.
If Tsunoda can secure a super licence for next season it would be a big call to give him that coveted second seat alongside Verstappen considering he is unproven in Formula 1. Another thing to consider is the fact that he is heavily backed by Honda and their decision to leave F1 may have damaged his chances at that seat.
It is more likely that Tsunoda will be given Daniil Kyvat’s seat if the Russian driver does not improve in the final races of the 2020 season.
#3 Pierre Gasly
The French driver is probably the best bet to replace Albon if he loses his seat at the end of this season. Gasly was replaced by Albon in the 2019 season after a horrid run of races with Gasly returning to AlphaTauri.
Pierre ended the 2019 season very well with a podium in Brazil fending of the world champion lewis Hamilton’s late push in the last few laps. He seems to have carried his good form over into this season. He has started very well having put in consistent performances in all races so far this season, including an unlikely win at the Italian grand prix.
Gasly has said himself that he is ready to move back to Red Bull but this possibility has been swiftly put down by both AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost and his counterpart at Red Bull Christian Horner.
#4 Alex Albon
The last possibility is that Albon keeps his seat for next season, and this seems like the most likely outcome. Despite his struggles this season Horner has backed Alex and believes that he is the one that can push Max and bring the team to where they want to be back winning championships.
Albon has shown flashes of what he can bring to the team having only missed out on a podium in the opening race of the season thanks to a tangle with Lewis Hamilton. He finish 4th in the Styrian grand prix and 5th in the Hungarian grand prix.
Albon took his first ever podium in the Tuscan grand prix after the second race restart in a chaos laden race. He became the first ever Thai Formula 1 driver to gain a podium.
Despite his struggles it looks as though Albon may be safe and keep his seat at Red Bull for next season and it makes the most sense especially with their engine uncertainty.
Albon would definitely be my pick if I was in Red Bulls shoes, he has shown flashes of what he can achieve this season. His only downfall is his consistency if he can get through his struggles he can form a formidable partnership with Verstappen.
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