David Croft praises ‘lovely’ 83-race driver at Saudi Arabian GP

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David Croft saw Alex Albon do something ‘lovely’ at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday.

The Williams driver started the race in 12th place and narrowly missed out on the points in 11th.

While he ultimately walks away from Saudi Arabia empty-handed, he still won praise from Sky Sports F1 commentator Croft.

Albon found himself in a train of cars behind the Haas of Kevin Magnussen, a group that also included the Alpine of Esteban Ocon and the Visa Cash App RB car of Yuki Tsunoda.

The 83-race driver sustained damage to his front wing when trying to make a move on Magnussen, who was handed a 10-second penalty.

The Dane was trying to create a gap for teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who was able to finish 10th and bring home a point.

David Croft applauds ‘super’ Alex Albon

On lap 33 of the race, Albon was able to pass Tsunoda in the RB with a ‘late’ move into the first corner.

Croft was mightily impressed by the overtake, even if it didn’t deliver any tangible reward for the former Red Bull driver in the end.

“That was late, but that was lovely from Albon,” he said. “That was a super move there from Alex Albon – only got him 14th, but what a move.”

Albon has Mercedes incentive for 2024

While Albon and Williams haven’t been able to get any points on the board in the first two races of 2024, he won’t be short of motivation.

He knows that there may be a seat up for grabs at one of F1’s top teams as Lewis Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes for Ferrari.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Naomi Schiff reckons Albon has the ‘opportunity’ to earn a shot with the Silver Arrows.

Damon Hill, meanwhile, thinks he could ‘fit really well’ at the Brackley outfit alongside former F2 rival George Russell.

Albon impressed last season by almost single-handedly hauling Williams to seventh in the constructors’ standings, scoring 27 of their 28 points.