Horner: A fast car is sometimes a difficult car

Significantly underperforming compared to teammate Max Verstappen, it is widely speculated that Albon's head is on the chopping block at the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season.

Reportedly, veterans Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg are being considered for the Thai's seat, but Horner is sceptical another driver could do much better.

Asked at last week's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix whether there was a possibility of a new face suffering the same driveability issues, Horner said: "Of course there is.

“I think that a fast car is sometimes a difficult car and of course, the way we try and generate lap times is on corner entry,” he explained. “And the car has had its complexities this year, more so than even last year, I would say, and so that has made life difficult.

“I think we have started to understand that as a team, now I think we’re bringing developments that have started to address that.

“We’re all working hard to create a more rounded package that doesn’t have these peculiarities. So it’s something that everybody in the team is very much focused on.”

Additionally, Horner maintained the team would prefer to keep Albon.

“It’s Alex’s seat,” he said. “He’s got his bum in the car and everyone wants to see him retain that seat. I think he has to block out the outside noise, get his head down, just have a good weekend.

“Well we’re fully focused on Plan A [keeping Albon] and making sure that Plan A happens.

“So at the moment I think we will just put all our attention into that.”