Alexander Albon says he no longer felt like he was a Formula 1 rookie following his mid-season graduation to Red Bull due to the level of expecta😼tion within the team.

Albon made the step up to the Red Bull senior team from Toro Rosso at the Belgian Grand Prix to re𝔉place the underperforming Pierre🍌 Gasly for the second half of the season, with Gasly returning to the Faenza squad in a direct swap.

Despite having never driven an F1 prior to 2019, the British-born Thai driver impressed in his fir🐭st 12 races with Toro Rosso and subsequently earned a Red Bull call♐ up.

A run of consecu💦tive top six finishes led to Albon being ꦿretained alongside Max Verstappen for 2020. Albon claimed a best result of fourth in Japan and was in contention for a maiden podium in Brazil before being spun around by Lewis Hamilton on the penultimate lap.

“I sometimes have to tell myself that 🍌I’m still a rook😼ie because being in Red Bull the feeling kind of goes away a bit with the expectation and everything,” Albon explained.

“On reflection I am happy with [my year]. I do notice the good moments but It’s just human nature and the way I am, I am hard on myself and I do wan𝕴t to improve all the time.

“I don’t want it to be an excuse that I’m a rookie. I just want to be quick on that weekend for being quick. It’s just p☂art of me and part of my drive to just improve as a driver. I know there’s still scope for me to improve o✱n.

“I realise that I’m still learning and 🌠for a first year I’m happy with how it’s gone.”

Albon ultimately ended the year eighth in the drivers’ championship havin♒g scored 92 points, 76 of which w🐼ere recorded while driving for Red Bull.

Asked what h🌊e felt 🅘was the biggest thing he has learned within Red Bull’s environment, Albon replied: “It applies to all of it but it’s not to listen to anyone too much, including you guys [the media]. Do my own thing and just focus on myself really.

“It is a team sport but it’s very individual in the way you have to approach your driving, kind of putting myself first in terms of questioning where I can i🙈mprove and what I need to do to be better.

“That’s the mai💎n thing for me this yea🐟r and just take it a bit easier in free practice and try not to overdrive too quickly.”