Russell: 'Albon being made to look like an idiot'

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George Russell defended his good friend Alex Albon whose current struggles at Red Bull are making him "look like an idiot", according to the Williams driver.

Albon qualified a lowly P13 on Saturday at the Hungaroring, almost a second slower than teammate Max Verstappen whose own performance in the grid-defining session was nothing to write home about.

Both Red Bull drivers have been struggling to get to grips with the unpredictable balance of their RB16 since the start of the season, but Albon's deficit to his teammate in qualifying is undeniable.

Albon feels 'no need to panic' over gap to Verstappen

Queried on the British-Thai driver's low-key performance, Russell questioned his friend's plight at Red Bull.

"I’ve known Alex for the past 15 years, been in the same paddock as him, he’s one of the best drivers we’ve all raced," Russell told Sky F1.

"Max [Verstappen], Charles [Leclerc], all of us would say it - he’s been at the front of everything he’s done.

"I don’t know what the hell is going on but I feel really bad for him because he’s being made to look like an idiot and he’s absolutely not.

"He’s won everything he’s done. So, I don’t know what’s going on, but they need to sort it out for him."

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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.