Alex Albon says he disagrees with Fernando Alonso’s criticism of the usual of driving behind the grid, after the Aston Martin driver doubled down on remarks made following their battle on the Formulation 1 United States Grand Prix.
Albon and Alonso fought all through the race in Austin, after which Alonso criticised Albon and the drivers within the backside third of the sector. Talking in Thursday’s press convention forward of the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, Albon started by stressing his admiration for the two-time world champion.
“Firstly, I might say that I massively respect Fernando. I believe he’s a terrific driver. I’ve regarded as much as him loads rising up as a child,” Albon stated.
“I believe we’re all in our personal little battle on the again. I don’t suppose it’s the extent of the drivers as a lot. I believe, clearly, final yr we had a terrific season, and this yr… We’re on the again, I believe, a bunch of us, together with Checo.
“Clearly, post-race feedback are at all times a little bit bit extra within the warmth of the second, so you possibly can at all times check out your self.”
Alex Albon rejects Fernando Alonso feedback
Albon additionally rejected any suggestion that their battle had crossed a line.
“No, no, I felt we had scrap. Clearly, he didn’t suppose the identical factor. However, yeah, it was a extremely sturdy battle,” he stated. “Even the incident in that time itself, I believed, was very 50-50 when it comes to the place the vehicles had been on observe.”
Alonso, nonetheless, has not softened his stance. Based on Sky Sports activities, he described the decrease half of the grid on Thursday as merely “a really low degree of driving”, including that he nonetheless discovered it obscure “what was the chance that Alex noticed within the second”.
Instructed of Alonso’s newest feedback, Albon was extra direct.
“I’ll double down on what I stated as effectively. I’ve an enormous respect for Fernando. I regarded as much as him loads rising up as a child,” he stated.
“Clearly it’s not good to listen to these feedback in some ways. You at all times see somebody that you simply look as much as. However on the similar time, I don’t agree with him.
“It’s so simple as that. I believe the extent is powerful up and down the grid. I believe 10, 15 years in the past it wasn’t the again half of the grid the best way it’s now. We don’t have paid drivers anymore.
“So, yeah, it’s what it’s. Hopefully, we don’t cross paths within the race this weekend.”