“There was no policy in working with Daniel”: Albon on relations with Kvyat, transfer to Red Bull and Grand Prix in Sochi

- Are your memories of your first visit to Sochi as a Formula 2 pilot fresh?

- Yes, it was in 2018. A great year came out, a successful race. I enjoyed Sochi and I liked the track. You know, pilots always like the tracks on which they win. In general, this is a fairly technical track, with many interesting turns, but this is what makes it difficult - it is easy to make a mistake. Nevertheless, Sochi is a wonderful place, and the weather here is wonderful.

- I would like to repeat the success next Sunday?

- Hope so. I had to lose five starting positions, which can complicate the situation a bit. But the team will make every effort so that I can catch up.

- What were you thinking about before your first visit to Russia?

- I would not say that I had any specific expectations. Every time you cross the border of a state for the first time, you rarely know what you will encounter. I can say that I was undoubtedly impressed by the circuit located in the Olympic Park. As for professional skills, I definitely go to Sochi better than I initially thought.

- Could you imagine a year ago that you will return here as a pilot of the Red Bull team?

- No. No way. At that moment, I did not even imagine that I would participate in Formula 1, such an idea seemed incredible. Rather, I thought about participating in Formula E.

- Is the Sochi track suitable for your driving style?

“So we'll see if I bump into something.” This track is well suited for training. I'm going to spend Friday to get used to the car as best as possible. Here in some areas you can drive more restrained. So, I think the track is pretty good. As for my driving style, perhaps the track really fits. I like such twists.

- Summer weather is in Sochi, but autumn has come to other regions of Russia, and even winter somewhere. Could you take part in the race if ...

- ... everything was in the snow?

- No, if the air temperature drops to 8 ° C, as in the rest of Russia?

- Hmm ... (Thinking about it.) I don’t know if we have suitable winter tires for such weather, but in principle - no problem. Although, probably, without the appropriate tires it would be difficult. In general, I think the weather is right now.

- What kind of relationship did you develop with Daniil Kvyat when you were in the Toro Rosso team?

- The relationship was good. We treated each other with respect, as well as the races themselves. The rivalry was only on the track. No politics. It was a pleasure working with Daniel. And this relationship is still great, he's a cool guy, a big comedian.

“Did you turn to him for help?” Still, you made your debut in the "royal race", and he has more experience.

- Usually pilots try not to give advice to each other, and this is in the order of things. Of course, Daniel, explained something to me, but to a greater extent I just watched him, tried to understand what he was talking with mechanics and the team about. It is very important. In truth, I listened and gained experience. I never would have asked him myself: “How would you go about this turn?”, Because I know that in return he would have simply joked.

🗣 "I raced at Sochi in F2 and I won there, so it's a track I enjoy and I'm looking forward to being back on a circuit I'm familiar with." 👊 @alex_albon previews the #RussianGP 🇷🇺👉 https://t.co/ImKSCvgYw5#F1pic.twitter.com/ZIncutoTYV

- Now you have moved to Red Bull and maybe you yourself can give him some advice?

- No I do not think so. I myself continue to study.

- How did you know that you became a pilot of Red Bull?

“Nothing special at all.” Immediately after the summer break, I went to meet with Red Bull racing consultant Helmut Marko at his office in Austria, and the team leader Christian Horner called me. Everything went fine and pretty fast.

- Your new “stable” represents another country. Do you have to urgently learn German or is it optional?

- Red Bull is based in the UK, so luckily German is not required. Like Japanese. I wouldn’t do it very well. In general, no, the culture of all Formula 1 teams is very similar. All strive for victory. The team is very professional, so there were no special changes. People just changed. And it was necessary to see how I drive a car, what my style is.

- Does the new car suit you better? How could you describe it?

- I would not use the definition of “more suitable”, it is originally different. No better and no worse, just different. But yes, I think it will take time to get comfortable. However, this was to be expected.

- If in Toro Rosso you fought for points, then in Red Bull do not fall below sixth place ...

- Yes, but the car is faster, so it’s wise to strive for better results. With such a machine, a place in the top six is ​​normal. Of course, I want to show time better and score more points, and I will always set high goals for myself. And we'll see. It’s great that they gave me time to gain the necessary experience, now I earn points for my “stable”.

- Did you get more pressure after you moved to Red Bull?

- Of course, in a team with ambitions, you feel a great responsibility. After all, now you have to comply, show yourself and show good results. But the approach to racing has remained unchanged, in this regard, nothing new. In addition, I do not feel any pressure inside and continue to prepare for the races in the same way as I did in Toro Rosso. That is my philosophy.

- Who do you consider to be your main competitor for a place in the team - the current team-mate Max Verstappen or Pierre Gasly, who you are fighting with for the place next year?

- This is not to say that I am competing with someone. My main rival is myself, so I need to focus exclusively on myself. I can only do what I can do, and if that is enough - excellent. How the next season will turn out is completely up to me, not Max or Pierre.

- Recently, more and more people are discussing what may attract additional interest in Formula 1. What is your opinion on this?

- I consider the proposals discussed by the association of pilots of the "royal races" to be the main ones: it is necessary to make the races more competitive, eliminating the existing difference between the stables and the fireballs. The smaller the divisions, the easier it will be to pursue leaders. A fairer division of the prize pool also suggests itself.