'Russell has ruined it for Hamilton'

The last race of the season in Abu Dhabi was anything but exciting, so the reviews in the following week are short-lived. We are especially looking forward to what is to come. Tsunoda has now been confirmed at AlphaTauri, but what about Alexander Albon's seat and Lewis Hamilton's contract negotiations?

"I think Hamilton will at least get paid less," says Christijan Albers in De Telegraaf's Formula 1 podcast. "Coronavirus has actually caused the whole negotiation to start all over again. Russell came in and has just ruined it for Hamilton. Explain to Ola Kallenius, Daimler's boss, why he can suddenly drive at the front".

In the same race in Bahrain, Albon's negotiating position was also severely undermined. According to Albers, Perez absolutely earned that spot with his victory, but he doubts whether he will get it.

"Hulkenberg is a hype to me. The two drove side by side and I think Perez was the strongest at the time. So I think that Perez actually deserves that seat, but there are usually other interests at play in the background".

"For example, the Thai shareholder in Red Bull. It depends on what Mateschitz decides. If Helmut Marko and Horner don't agree that Albon will drive for another year, but Mateschitz wants it, then the discussion will soon end," says Albers.