Formula 1: 5 drivers set for a big 2020 season

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 10: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari look on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 10, 2019 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /

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SUZUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 13: Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB15 (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

3. Alexander Albon

Alexander Albon’s journey from prospective Formula E rookie to Red Bull Racing driver has been dramatic. This time last season, Albon was faced with the prospect of giving up on his Formula 1 dream, but through a combination of luck and good driving, he finds himself on the brink of being given the Red Bull seat for 2020.

Since being thrust into the senior team at Spa after just 12 races with Toro Rosso, Albon has impressed with five consecutive top six finishes. His qualifying has slowly improved, while his wheel to wheel racing has rarely been questioned, with two impressive drives from the back of the grid. When you consider how much better he has fared than Pierre Gasly, it would be a real shock if Red Bull turned their back on the Thai driver any time soon.

If Albon is going into 2020 at Red Bull, he has the opportunity to cement his place as one of the best drivers in the sport. With podiums and potentially wins suddenly a possibility, Albon will already have an opportunity that many drivers who have been in the sport for many years never come across. Whether he is quite at the level to take advantage of that opportunity is unknown, but it will be fascinating to watch him try to take the step up.

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