P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Albon: Melbourne F1 points would be "payback" to Sargeant
Albon’s own car was badly damaged in a crash during opening practice on Friday, leading to him missing FP2. With no spare chassis available, team principal James Vowles made the decision for Albon to take over the remaining healthy chassis, resulting in American Sargeant sitting out the rest of the weekend. Despite the challenging circumstances, Albon impressed by finishing seventh in Q1 and securing 12th in Q2, right behind Lewis Hamilton.
When asked about driving his teammate’s car, Albon expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the responsibility entrusted to him. He highlighted the importance of focusing on his job and treating the weekend like any other, despite starting on the back foot. Albon commended Sargeant for his sportsmanship and team spirit throughout the situation, emphasizing their open communication and similar feedback on the car.
Reflecting on the qualifying session, Albon mentioned that the replacement car felt almost identical to his original one. He believed he had maximized his performance in qualifying, with little room for improvement due to tire constraints. Despite the challenges leading up to the race weekend, Albon viewed his results as positive given the circumstances.
