Martin Brundle hails 27-year-old driver who has become ‘the real deal’ this season

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Martin Brundle has admitted he’s been really impressed with Williams driver Alex Albon this season and believes he’s starting to reach his full potential.

Brundle was commentating alongside David Croft during the final qualifying session of the season in Abu Dhabi.

It had been a disrupted weekend up to that point, with plenty of rookies on track in Free Practice 1 and limited running in the following session.

Alex Albon has had a brilliant year but gave up his car to youngster Zak O’Sullivan yesterday morning.

It meant in reality he only got 90 minutes of running time to prepare for qualifying but achieved a remarkable feat regardless.

Logan Sargeant attempted two flying laps but had them both chalked off for breaching track limits.

The under-pressure American will start at the back of the grid with Albon finishing ahead of him in every qualifying session this season, something that really stood out to Martin Brundle.

The British-born Thai driver is on the up at Williams and could play a key part in the driver’s market when his contract expires next season.

James Vowles will be desperately hoping the 27-year-old decides to extend his deal with the team but he may want to try his luck at a team further up the grid.

Brundle hails brilliant season for Albon

Speaking about Albon, Brundle said: “Williams have looked good on single lap speed, they have tended to go backwards through the field with tyre problems in more recent times.

“But nonetheless Alex Albon has become the real deal hasn’t he as a Formula 1 driver, he just looks so competent behind the wheel now.”

Albon could only qualify 14^th in Abu Dhabi and given their recent struggles on long runs, scoring points tomorrow might be tricky.

He typically makes up places on the first laps of races, but with so much to play for between the bottom four teams, he needs to keep it clean rather than taking any unnecessary risks.

He’s unlikely to get much support from Sargeant starting at the back of the grid, but finishing the season with a top-ten finish would be just what he deserves.

While Vowles will be mulling over whether to offer the young American another contract, he’ll be desperate for Albon to put pen to paper.

If he’s wise, he’ll keep his options open. There are drivers under pressure elsewhere and right now he looks like the best potentially available option.