F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Horner says Red Bull 2020 seat now Albon's to lose

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner believes rookie Alex Albon is getting "stronger and stronger", insisting the 23-year-old's seat with the Milton Keynes-based team for 2020 is now his to lose.

On his maiden visit to the Circuit of the Americas, Albon delivered two productive performances on the opening day of running in Austin, concluding FP1 third and finishing P6 in Friday's afternoon practice session.

"I’m enjoying my first time around this track and it’s been really good fun so far," said the Britis-Thai racer.

"It’s quite technical and there’s a lot of track to use so you need to know where to put your car and which lines to take.

"The first session was pretty good and then the second one was ok but I know which direction I want to go in.

"There’s room for improvement on my side in terms of driving and also getting the most out of the tyres.

Since Albon's promotion to the senior bull squad from Toro Rosso at Spa, he's scored points in all six races.

Despite a few off-track excursions and crashes that perhaps slightly blotted his copy, Albon appears to be on track to retain his plum drive with Red Bull for next year.

"He’s getting stronger and stronger," Horner told Sky F1 on Friday.

"It’s a tricky track here, particularly that first sector, and seeing how he attacked it quickly, getting down to a time, he seems to be learning difficult tracks like Suzuka, Mexico he acquitted himself well, here he’s done a similar job in that first session. So far, so good."

Horner sent a clear public message to his young hopeful, when asked about his prospects for 2020.

"It's his seat to lose," said the RBR boss. "He’s got his bum in it at the moment, and he’s doing a good job.

"We’ve still got time to the end of the year, all the drivers [Albon, Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat] are under contract for next year, so we don’t need to rush.

"Everybody’s been impressed with the job he’s been doing so far."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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