Alex Albon now suggests 34-year-old Formula 1 driver is back to his very best

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Williams driver Alex Albon has suggested that AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo is back to his best after a tough few years in Formula 1.

Albon was speaking to Jake Humphrey on the High Performance Podcast, via the High Performance App.

It’s been a very successful season for Alex Albon as he finished as the best driver from the slowest four teams.

His drive in Canada immediately comes to mind as one of his highlights, but outscoring teammate Logan Sargeant by 26 points is a sign of just how far ahead of the rookie he is.

There’s been plenty of change at his old team AlphaTauri though as there always seems to be.

Franz Tost’s team have used four different drivers this year, finally settling on Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo has had a difficult time in F1 recently after being dropped by McLaren and replaced by the excellent Oscar Piastri.

He was brought back into the Red Bull set-up and Christian Horner found a spot for him at AlphaTauri after dropping Nyck de Vries.

Albon has said that since Ricciardo has been back on the grid he appears to be back to his best.

They’ve both experienced being dropped by top teams in their Formula 1 careers and are now bouncing back.

Ricciardo will have one eye on Sergio Perez’s seat going into 2024 and beyond, while plenty of driver movements next year could hinge on Albon’s contract situation.

Albon has Ricciardo is getting back to his best

Speaking about his experience in Formula 1, Albon said: “I’m in a good part of my career, I’m performing well, everything feels easy and I know it feels easy because the results and the performance in the car are backing that.

“Needless to say it happens a lot in Formula 1, I think a good example would be Daniel [Ricciardo].

“He was doing so well in his career and then he has that dip with McLaren, you see him now, he’s back up to that form.”

Jake Humphrey asked: “Can you relate to what he’s been through?”

Albon replied: “Totally, I saw it so much and we did talk about it this feeling like, it’s easy when things are going well but once things go badly, it can come from nowhere.

“And part of me realises next year for some reason it could be that way. I’m pretty sure it won’t but it could go that way.”

Humphreys added: “Were you able to offer Daniel some advice because you’re a couple of years further down the line?”

Albon responded: “I tried to but I didn’t want to get too involved and I didn’t know Daniel that well when we did talk about it, I know him better now.

“I kind of just explained to him what I went through and I said it would be interesting to see if you’re going through the same thing.

“In terms of advice, it was more just a break is going to help and I felt that what he didn’t do that I did and this helped me reset a little bit. I drove a different car.”

Next year could be turning point Formula 1 desperately needs

Albon and Ricciardo will want to be at the best in 2024 with so many seats on the grid potentially opening up.

Their respective teams finished seventh and eighth this year and even though they’ll be hoping to see progress from their manufacturers over the winter, they’re unlikely to be challenging for wins and podiums next year.

Although the season has featured plenty of action below Red Bull and Max Verstappen, the grid is beginning to become a bit stale.

If Logan Sargeant retains his seat at Williams then there won’t be any driver changes going into 2024.

It’s becoming clear that having 20 cars on the grid isn’t enough considering how many fantastic young talents can’t break through into the sport.

That can dash their confidence but as Albon and Ricciardo have proven, it is possible to break into F1 with enough patience and perseverance.