Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull F1 Sporting Director, claims that Pierre Guthrie has learned a lot from the struggle and is ready to take the next step in his F1 career.
Pierre Guthrie, who was promoted to Red Bull Racing in 2018, failed to meet Red Bull’s expectations and was sent back to his sister Toro Rosso in the middle of the season.
However, Alexander Albon, who succeeded Pierre Guthrie at Red Bull Racing, could not achieve such a good result, and at the end of 2020, he was removed from the regular driver, and Red Bull was the star driver of the team. Experienced Sergio Perez was appointed as the teammate of Max Verstappen, who became the F1 World Champion.
Jonathan Wheatley says Pierre Guthrie and Alex Albon have learned valuable lessons from the struggle. Red Bull is also learning how to support young talent, Pierre Guthrie spends a productive 2021 season with AlphaTauri F1 and Arbon returns to the grid with Williams F1 this year.
“We learned a lot from Alex. We learned how to support young drivers who are having a difficult time,” John Saint Wheatley told podcaster Jack Threllfall.
“It’s the same as Pierre before. Look at Pierre’s regained confidence. Now he’s making a small team comeback!”
“Honestly, I think Pierre is now ready to take the next step.”
Jonathan Wheatley admits that racing with the dazzlingly fast Max Verstappen in honor of Alex Albon was a difficult challenge for the then rookie Albon.
“Alex is an extraordinary young man,” explained Jonathan Wheatley.
“A great driver, a serious, seriously fast driver.”
“But it’s a bit like Pierre, but it’s very difficult to join the team with Max Verstappen as a teammate.”
“In the past, it was a bit of a gap to actually come to a race team with drivers like Max from Alpha Tauri and Toro Rosso.”
“Max had to deal with Daniel (Ricciardo), but now we see Max as an extraordinary talent.”
“But Alex and his dedication, and the fact that he was never overwhelmed by his emotions-I think it shows his resilience anyway.”
Jonathan Wheatley also acknowledged how Sergio Perez’s extensive experience helped Red Bull Racing as a championship candidate.
“We want to win not only the Drivers’World Championship, but also the Constructors’ Championship,” said John Sun Wheatley.
“We need both drivers there. I think what the Czech Republic has brought to us and to the team is a lot of experience. It makes us stronger.”
Category: Category: F1 / Red bull / Pierre Guthrie