Red Bull Racing confirms Alex Albon for 2020!

©RedBull

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As expected following his recent string of impressive performances, Alex Albon has been confirmed by Aston Martin Red Bull Racing for the 2020 season.

The 23-year-old British-Thai racer was unexpectedly recruited by Red Bull at the end of last year, making his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in Melbourne.

Good results alongside Daniil Kvyat at the Faenza-base squad coupled with Pierre Gasly's underperformance at Red Bull Racing encouraged Helmut Marko to promote Albon to the senior bull team during F1's summer break.

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"Alex has performed extremely well since his debut with the Team in Belgium and his results – seven finishes in the top-six – speak for themselves," said RBR team boss Christian Horner.

"It’s extremely hard to deny that level of consistency and in tandem with a growing reputation as a tenacious, fiercely committed racer, Alex has proved that he fully deserves to continue his progress with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.

"There is plenty of potential still to unlock and we look forward to seeing Alex alongside Max in 2020."

©RedBull

Albon says he will capitalize on his knowledge and experience garnered this season to "fight at the front" in 2020.

"I am really excited to be partnering Max again for next year and I know how fortunate I am to be given this opportunity.

"I’m hugely thankful that Red Bull have put their trust in me and believed in my results since I joined the Team and for them to keep me in the car next year is a big deal.

"This year has been an incredible year for me and getting the call up to Red Bull mid-season was already a big step, so now I will use the learnings from this season and use the experience to improve and fight at the front in 2020."

Red Bull's decision to retain Albon alongside Max Verstappen implies that Toro Rosso's pairing of Kvyat and Gasly will also remain unchanged next year.

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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.