Alexander Albon vs Pierre Gasly | The F1 Formula | The F1 Formula
Head-to-head · current grid
Alexander Albon vs Pierre Gasly
Bound by the Red Bull junior program, Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly endured shared struggles at the main team before forging distinct, resilient paths to establish themselves as formidable F1 talents.
current grid
williams
alpine
Career scorecard
Source: Jolpica F1 API
Metric
Alexander Albon
Pierre Gasly
World championships
0
0
Race wins
0
1
Podiums
2
5
Race starts
133
182
Career points
309
461
Seasons contested
7
10
First F1 season
2019
2017
The careers of Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly are inextricably linked by the crucible of the Red Bull driver program, a shared, challenging promotion to the main Red Bull Racing team, and the subsequent, divergent paths they took to establish themselves as formidable midfield talents. Their story is a testament to resilience and the varied ways drivers can find their footing in Formula 1 after facing significant setbacks.
Both Albon and Gasly rose through the Red Bull junior ranks, a notoriously demanding system. Gasly, a year older, made his F1 debut late in 2017 with Toro Rosso, quickly establishing himself as a promising talent. Albon’s path was slightly more circuitous, initially dropped by Red Bull, only to be brought back into the fold for a 2019 F1 debut with Toro Rosso, impressing immediately. Their entry into the sport coincided with a period of intense competition, where securing a seat, let alone performing, was a constant battle.
How they overlapped
The most direct and defining overlap of their careers occurred in the 2019 season. Gasly began the year as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing, a promotion earned through a strong 2018 season with Toro Rosso. However, he struggled significantly to adapt to the RB15, failing to consistently match Verstappen’s pace or extract the car’s potential. The pressure mounted, and after the Hungarian Grand Prix, Red Bull made the drastic decision to swap him with Albon, who had only half a season of F1 experience under his belt at Toro Rosso. Albon then spent the remainder of 2019 and the full 2020 season alongside Verstappen, experiencing similar challenges in matching the Dutchman but showing flashes of brilliance, including two podium finishes. This period was a brutal test for both drivers, highlighting the immense pressure of the top team.
On track
Gasly’s initial Red Bull stint was fraught with difficulty, marked by a clear struggle to find confidence and pace in a car that demanded a very specific driving style. His demotion, while harsh, proved to be a catalyst. Returning to Toro Rosso (rebranded AlphaTauri), Gasly underwent a remarkable transformation. He found his rhythm, becoming the undisputed leader of the team, culminating in a sensational victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix. This period saw him consistently deliver strong points finishes and demonstrate exceptional race craft, often outperforming the machinery. His subsequent move to Alpine, while yet to yield a win, has seen him continue to be a solid, consistent performer, often battling with his teammate, as seen in the ongoing dynamic with Jack Doohan vs Pierre Gasly.
Albon, meanwhile, endured his own struggles at Red Bull. While he secured two podiums – at the 2020 Tuscan and Bahrain Grands Prix – he too found it difficult to consistently extract the performance needed to challenge Verstappen. His demotion at the end of 2020 led to a year on the sidelines, a period he used for introspection and development, including a stint in DTM. His return to F1 with Williams in 2022 was nothing short of a revelation. Albon quickly established himself as the team’s leader, showcasing exceptional qualifying pace and an uncanny ability to drag points out of a car that was often the slowest on the grid. His defensive driving and strategic race management have become hallmarks of his Williams tenure, consistently elevating the team’s performance. The contrast with his junior teammate, and the potential future Red Bull junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli vs Liam Lawson, highlights the different pathways to F1 success.
Comparing their on-track performance since their Red Bull departures, Gasly has arguably had higher peaks, notably his Monza win and multiple podiums. He demonstrated a clear ability to lead a midfield team and capitalize on opportunities. Albon, while not having a win, has consistently over-delivered in a significantly less competitive car, often making the Williams appear much faster than it is. His ability to hold off faster cars for extended periods and secure unexpected points has been a defining feature.
Off track
Both drivers handled their Red Bull demotions with remarkable professionalism, albeit with different immediate outcomes. Gasly’s return to AlphaTauri was fueled by a desire to prove a point, which he did emphatically. Albon’s year out of F1 could have ended his career, but he used it to mature, staying connected to the sport and returning with renewed focus and confidence. Their respective journeys underscore the mental fortitude required to succeed at the pinnacle of motorsport. Both are highly respected within the paddock for their character and work ethic, traits that have undoubtedly contributed to their F1 longevity. The pressure cooker of the Red Bull program is a common thread for many young drivers, including those like Jack Doohan vs Yuki Tsunoda who are currently navigating its demands.
What history says
History shows that while Red Bull’s initial assessment of both drivers as not quite ready for the top team might have been accurate at that specific moment, it certainly wasn't the final word on their F1 capabilities. Gasly’s Grand Prix win and subsequent strong form at AlphaTauri firmly established him as a top-tier midfield talent. Albon’s remarkable performance at Williams, consistently punching above the car’s weight, has solidified his reputation as a highly valuable asset, capable of leading a team’s development. Their careers, though intertwined by a shared past, now stand as individual testaments to their distinct strengths and enduring commitment to the sport.
