The layout of the Sochi Autodrom “accentuated” Alex Albon’s struggles🅠 at the Russian Grand Prix, 𝔍according to Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner.

Albon was over a second slower than Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in qualifying and finished the Russian Grand Prix 10th, half a minute behind the Dutchman and𝓰 nearly a full lap behind race-winner Valtteri Bottas.

It followed the Tus꧂can Grand Priꦡx at Mugello where Albon claimed a long-awaited maiden F1 podium having made encouraging progress in recent races.

The ꦚThai racer has struggled with the inconsistent balance of this year’s RB16 more than Verstappen and Horner believes the layout of the Sochi circuit exacerbated the difficulties Albon already faces.

"Alex is particularly sensitive to some🥂 of the characteristics of the car," Horner explained.

"He's struggling with that and they're accentuated at this type of circuit with short coꦉrners and big braking zones.

"Obviously there is plenty to look at for him. His second half of the race, he recovered reasonably well, but obviously it's been a tough weekend f✨or him.

"So it was a shame, after the podium two weeks ago🗹, th💖at this one has probably been one of the hardest of the year for him."

Horner revealed that Red Bull is working on solutions to the probl🌳em in a bid to make the car more suited to Albon’s liking and driving style.

"I think we've understood some of the issues that we've 🌳got with the car," he♏ said.

"Obviously we are working hard to address those. And I think hopefully in the remaini👍ng races, we should be able to, I hope, take steps that will improv꧋e the car in that area."