Nico Rosberg has made waves by urging Red Bull to consider a surprising candidate to partner with Max Verstappen in the 2024 season. Rosberg’s choice for this unexpected partnership? None other than Alex Albon.
Albon, who endured a challenging 15-month stint at Red Bull before taking a hiatus from Formula 1 in 2021, has been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks. Reports suggested that Lando Norris had an open invitation to join the Red Bull team from McLaren, potentially taking Sergio Perez’s place.
While Sergio Perez currently holds a Red Bull contract for the 2024 season, the rumors of his possible replacement continue to persist. These rumors have been fueled, in part, by the criticism of the Mexican driver by Red Bull’s team advisor, Helmut Marko.
Rosberg’s endorsement of Alex Albon as a dream candidate to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull made headlines in the Formula 1 community. Rosberg shared his perspective during an interview with Sky Sports F1, stating, “Albon would also be a dream candidate for Red Bull for next year to replace Sergio Perez. But unfortunately, as Helmut Marko said, he has a long-term contract with Williams.”
Interestingly, Rosberg himself found himself at the center of a similar situation during his Formula 1 career. In a surprising move, he retired immediately after clinching the 2016 World Championship. This decision left Mercedes in need of a new driver, leading them to pay Williams a hefty sum of £10 million for the services of Valtteri Bottas.
The quick replacement of Rosberg with Bottas showcased the dynamism of the Formula 1 driver market. Mercedes managed to secure Bottas’ signature in just six weeks, making the announcement in mid-January. Bottas went on to finish the 2017 season in third place, a mere 12 points behind Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari.
Nico Rosberg’s recommendation of Alex Albon as the ideal partner for Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2024 adds yet another layer of intrigue to the ongoing driver shuffle in the world of Formula 1. As the 2024 season approaches, the motorsport community eagerly awaits the decisions of Red Bull Racing and other teams regarding their driver line-ups. The drama and excitement of Formula 1 are never-ending, and the anticipation of these pivotal decisions only adds to the spectacle of the sport.