Alex Albon, currently a driver for Williams, highlighted Max Verstappen’s exceptional performance in the 2024 season, calling it his “best ever.” Verstappen’s former teammate at Red Bull praised the Dutchman’s ability to adapt to challenges.
From the stands to the rivalry with Hamilton
Albon shared the garage with Verstappen for a season and a half before being relegated to the role of tester and reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri in 2021. During that year, Albon had the opportunity to closely observe the direct rivalry between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The British driver, aiming for his eighth world title, was dramatically defeated on the final lap of the last race in one of the most tense seasons in history.
With the introduction of ground effect aerodynamics in 2022, Max Verstappen was able to maintain his supremacy, winning the title and setting new standards the following year, giving Red Bull an unprecedented season in terms of dominance.
A different season: battle and adaptation
However, 2024 marked a turning point. Max Verstappen had an exciting start, with seven wins in the first ten Grand Prix. Yet, a series of ten races without victories gave Lando Norris and McLaren a small window to enter the title fight. Despite this, Verstappen regained control of the situation, securing his fourth consecutive title and confirming himself as one of the most complete drivers in Formula 1 history.
Maturity and tactical vision
According to Albon, interviewed by RacingNews365, this season revealed a new dimension of Verstappen. “I think it was his best,” said the Williams driver.
“His 2021 season was special, but there was a tight battle that year. This year, however, it was different: his ability was clearly evident, not only in single laps but also in managing races and the entire weekend. Even when the car wasn’t perfect, Max kept delivering outstanding results, preventing Lando from closing the gap.”
Albon then highlighted Verstappen’s personal growth: “In 2021, everything was more raw, with a fierce rivalry against Hamilton. This year, however, it was all more tactical. Max seemed to have a broader perspective, while still delivering great performances in qualifying and in the race.”
The value of competition
Albon concluded by praising the level of competition Verstappen faced: “If he hadn’t had such worthy opponents, we wouldn’t have seen this side of him. It was good that there was that competition because it allowed people to understand just how extraordinary he is as a driver.”
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