Alex Albon Reveals Christian Horner's Contribution To His F1 Career
Williams Racing driver Alex Albon revealed that former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner played an important role in elevating his F1 career. Albon made his premier class racing debut with Red Bull's junior F1 team, Racing Bulls (then Toro Rosso), in 2019.
Given his impressive performance, Albon was soon elevated to Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen in the same year. However, the performance disparity compared to the future world champion meant he was dropped to a reserve driver role in 2020. In 2022, the Thai-British driver embarked on a new F1 chapter with Williams.
Albon admitted that he received extensive help from Horner. When asked ahead of the Belgian GP if Horner's sudden departure from Red Bull came as a surprise, he said:
"Yeah, I was, I think, obviously someone who's helped me a lot in my Formula One career, and obviously he's been in the sport for a long time with a lot of success. So, you could say he's built that team up. So to see him go, that's the first time."
Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams answers questions during the FIA press conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 3, 2025 in Northampton, United Kingdom.
Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams answers questions during the FIA press conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 3, 2025 in Northampton, United Kingdom.Horner has led Red Bull since its inception in 2005, a period that saw six constructors' championships and eight drivers' titles. When Albon was asked what Horner did to bring Red Bull that kind of success, he said:
"Yeah, I mean, obviously I joined quite late into the Christian Horner kind of era, let's say. So, on my side, it was clear that he had his people, and he brought everyone up together.
"I think there were a lot of long-standing members at Red Bull who were there for a long time and still are to this day as well.
"It seemed he had a good knack for finding the right people and then building a good circle around them. They seemed to chip away at it and very quickly get to the top. I guess that's a part of his success."
Horner left a farewell note on Instagram following his sudden ousting, the reason for which remains unknown. Newsweek Sports reported his statement:
"After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved. Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all.
"Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships.
"Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow.
"Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special.
"It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 - and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
10 minutes ago
- USA Today
49ers Training Camp: Could San Francisco start three rookies in their front seven in 2025?
The San Francisco 49ers are motoring through their 2025 training camp at the SAP Performance Facility next to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and that includes their first padded practice session of the year on Monday. With pads on, coaches and players can get a much better idea of how they'll play in games than jerseys, pants and shells. That is especially true for the defense, as they can finally use some of that physicality when making tackles or taking on blockers. Through five days of camp, the 49ers have had a few players stand out, but the three defensive linemen that they took in the first four rounds of the 2025 NFL draft - Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins and CJ West - have stood out. If they're all practicing like they have been, and it continues into the preseason games, they may all earn starting roles, or at least key rotational roles, when the regular season comes along. Williams, 21, was San Francisco's first selection this year (No. 11 overall) after a two-time All-SEC career at Georgia that included a national championship. He should be the team's starting edge rusher opposite Nick Bosa, with Bryce Huff, who the 49ers acquired in a trade this offseason, likely playing a fair amount as well. Collins, 23, played at Texas from 2020-24, earning All-SEC and All-American honors last year before the 49ers took him in the second round (No. 43 overall). At 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds, Collins is a physical presence, who entered training camp with the expectation that he'll push out one of Jordan Elliott or Kevin Givens in the interior defensive line. West, 23, spent four seasons at Kent State (2020-23), where he earned All-MAC honors once, before transferring to Indiana for his final year in college. San Francisco took him in the fourth round (No. 113 overall) this year, and while many penciled him in as a backup in 2025, his performance on Monday have some questioning that decision. Even defensive coordinator Robert Saleh had positive things to say about the former Hoosier after his dominance. 'He's like a little fire hydrant, right? He's powerful. He's got heavy hands,' Saleh said during his media availability after the session. 'He's going to be fine. He's like a lot of rookies, there are so many things that they're learning, especially on the interior of the D-Line where it's a game within a game. You know, the first thing they learn is pocket push and then they learn how to capture an edge and rush from there. I wasn't there. I heard he did a really nice job over there, but I'm excited to get to the tape to see it.' With Williams all but guaranteed a starting role in Week 1, Collins and West are the questions of the trio. They'll have to do enough to unseat Elliott, who played 41.3% of defensive snaps last year and is entering the final year of a two-year, $7 million deal, and Givens, who played 17.3% of the snaps in 2024 and re-signed with San Francisco on a one-year, $2.05 million deal this offseason. It's going to take a lot of work from the rookies, but if they keep this up, all three could be on the field for the first defensive snaps of the season against the Seattle Seahawks on Sep. 7. And, if that's the case, not only will it speak to the front office's impressive work, but it will also set them up with a strong base to build on for years to come. However, it's still a little early for that. Let's let them get a second padded practice in before we put them down on the depth chart in permanent marker. More 49ers: 49ers roster move may be good news for WR dealing with potentially scary injury
Hamilton Spectator
40 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Iñaki Williams takes pride in being Athletic's first Black captain when ‘far-right is fashionable'
MADRID (AP) — Iñaki Williams is taking pride in becoming the first Black captain for Athletic Bilbao at a time when he said the 'far-right is fashionable.' The 31-year-old Williams, one of the first Black players to ever join the club, will take over as the squad's main caption this season. Athletic historically has had few Black players because it only fields people from Spain's northern Basque Country region or adjoining areas. Williams and his younger brother, Nico, were born in the northern industrial city of Bilbao from Ghanaian parents who made the long journey to Europe looking for a better life. 'This means a lot,' Williams said in a news conference. 'It's seems like destiny that my mom and dad gave birth to me in Bilbao 31 years ago,' Williams said. 'We are lucky to represent many people who come from abroad to make a living. And to be a reference in Basque Country and in Spain, is important for us. 'We come from humble families, and being able to express this is good for everyone,' he said. 'It seems like the far-right is fashionable, and those of us who have a voice have to keep working and keep proving people wrong and keep overcoming barriers.' Both Williams brothers, who have been subjected to racist insults in Spain, have been playing for Athletic since their youth. Iñaki Williams chose to play for Ghana's national team at the last World Cup, while his 23-year-old brother Nico has been a regular in Spain's squad. Nico Williams has become one of the rising stars in Spanish soccer and reportedly was in negotiations to join Barcelona this season, though he ended up extending his contract to stay with Athletic. The Basque Country club will be playing in the Champions League for the first time since the 2014-15 season. 'For many players, it will be their first time in the Champions League, and it's very exciting,' Iñaki Williams said. 'In Bilbao there's a great desire to hear that (Champions League) anthem again.' Athletic finished fourth in last season's Spanish league, behind Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and champions Barcelona. 'We're committed to being ambitious,' Iñaki Williams said. 'With the new signings and the young players coming in, we're making great strides. This is one of the strongest Athletic sides I can remember since I joined.' ___ AP soccer:
USA Today
41 minutes ago
- USA Today
6-foot-4, 310-pound Georgia freshman DL reportedly running over 20 MPH
Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive end David Pollack knows a good defensive lineman when he sees one. If Pollack highlights the talent a true freshman and former five-star recruit, then it is worth listening to. That's exactly what Pollack did when he talked about Georgia freshman defensive lineman Elijah Griffin. Pollack shared ample praise about Griffin on his podcast, "See Ball Get Ball". "Enormous, 6-foot-5, you know, 300-plus pound kid, that's an 18-year-old freshman, that continues to hit over 20 miles an hour every week on the GPS," said Pollack. Based on those numbers, Griffin would be one of the fastest players his size in both college and the NFL. In fact, only three ball carriers reached 20 miles per hour during the Super Bowl, so Griffin has an impressive combination of size and speed. For reference, Elijah Griffin is listed at 6-foot-4 and weights 310 pounds on Georgia's roster. The question is will Griffin be able to put it all together as a freshman? The five-star recruit may have to log a significant amount of snaps this fall as Georgia looks to replace seven of their top eight sack producers from last season. "I think he's a guy (Griffin) that can come in and play a bunch of snaps and and be really good," said Pollack. "Now, he's not going to go kill it. Jalen Carter-type good. Like Jalen Carter when you saw him as a freshman, like he was not refined. He wasn't Jalen Carter as a as a junior." Carter recorded 14 tackles as a freshman with Georgia in 2020. Georgia's 2020 defense was more loaded up front than what the 2025 version of the Georgia defense looks like, so we think Griffin will have a bigger role than Carter did as a freshman. Carter went on to be a first-round NFL draft pick and an NFL All-Pro and Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles. "That dude (Griffin) is a guy that you could play and you go I'm not going to have a big drop off," added Pollack. "And when he learns to use his hands and it all starts to work, you better watch the freak out." Despite Pollack's praise for Elijah Griffin, he still has concerns about the Georgia defensive and offensive line. In fact, Pollack predicts that Georgia will go 9-3 this season. Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
