MUGELLO QUALIFYING ALBON : ONCE THE PACE IS THERE, IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE

Red Bull was unable to put Mercedes under as much pressure as it had in practice, with Max Verstappen 0.365s off Hamilton in third and joined on row two by team-mate Alex Albon.

Alexander Albon feels he is “heading in the right direction” after securing his best qualifying result at Formula 1’s Tuscan Grand Prix.

For the first time in his career Albon ended qualifying inside the top four and will start the race alongside Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen on the second row.

Questions have been raised over Albon’s future at the team due to a number of difficult weekends this year, accelerated by Pierre Gasly’s win at Monza last weekend.

But in a conversation with Sky Sports F1, the Thai-British driver believes the situation is improving in his favour after a strong qualifying session.

“I’d say my Q3, run one lap was OK, there was a little bit of margin in a few places,” Albon admitted.

“I came around and there was a yellow car in the way. It is what it is, it’s P4 still. I’m happy with that, it’s going in the right direction.”

Albon is still yet to achieve his first podium in F1 despite being with Red Bull for over a year, but is hopeful he, along with Verstappen, can challenge Mercedes through strategy on Sunday.

“It’s going to be hard overtaking here, but degradation is looking pretty good and I think the last corner isn’t that bad to follow,” he said.

“It’s not like Barcelona where it’s all traffic jam and waiting for someone to leave the chicane.

“Here, it’s more you can find the line to get some clear air and stay close. Hopefully that means we can do something with strategy.”

MUGELLO QUALIFYING ALBON : ONCE THE PACE IS THERE, IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE MUGELLO QUALIFYING ALBON : ONCE THE PACE IS THERE, IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE

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