Albon ‘going in the right direction’ with F1 Tuscan GP qualifying

Alex Albon feels he is “going in the right direction” after securing his best qualifying result of the 2020 Formula 1 season at the Tuscan Grand Prix.

The Anglo-Thai driver will join his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen on the second row of the grid for the first time this year after sealing fourth place on the grid for F1’s inaugural grand prix at Mugello.

Albon, who has come under pressure after a difficult start to 2020 amid suggestions Pierre Gasly could return to Red Bull, posted a lap that was half a second slower than Verstappen.

“You always feel like you can do better from the run before,” Albon said.

“We didn’t do the Q2 run two lap so there was a bit of time in the garage. You just kind of wait.

“I’d say my Q3 run one lap was OK, there was a little bit of margin in a few places. I came around and there was a yellow car in the way.

“It is what it is, it’s P4 still. I’m happy with that, it’s going in the right direction.”

Asked about his chances of potentially claiming a first podium on Sunday, Albon replied: “That’d be nice. We’ll see, it’s a long run into Turn 1.

“We haven’t been the greatest off the line but we’ll see what we’ve got. It’s going to be hard overtaking here, but degradation is looking pretty good and I think the last corner isn’t that bad to follow.

“It’s not like Barcelona where it’s all traffic jam and waiting for someone to leave the chicane. Here, it’s more you can find the line to get some clear air and stay close.

“Hopefully that means we can do something with strategy.”