Alex Albon has insisted that although he remains fully committed to Williams, only ‘time will tell’ what the future holds for him amid speculation that he could join Mercedes or Red Bull in 2025. Albon has emerged as one of F1’s brightest talents since making his debut in 2019 and is now widely regarded among the best drivers on the grid following an impressive debut season at Williams.
Albon won a total of 27 points last year to almost single-handedly earn Williams their best Constructors’ Championship finish in six seasons. He remains tied down to the Grove-based outfit until the end of 2025 but it has recently been speculated that he could emerge as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year.
Reports have also suggested that a return to Red Bull, the team Albon raced for in 2019 and 2020 before taking up a reserve role the following year, could be in the works. Former Williams team manager Peter Windsor sensationally claimed on his YouTube channel last week that Albon had been offered a three-year deal by Red Bull, starting from the 2025 campaign.
Quizzed by Express Sport on whether any conversations have taken place regarding his long-term future at Williams, or if any other teams had been in touch to express their interest in a move, Albon said: “I would be denying if I said there have been questions and general chats around that wording.
“Truthfully, it’s not personally my area, it’s more management and that kind of section. My focus is on driving. Where I stand is I’m very excited to see how this FW46 develops. I want to see how the car feels in Bahrain and the subsequent four, five or six races and really get a feel for the progression I hope we’ve made as a team.
“My whole focus is on Williams and that’s where I see myself. I’m thinking about the long-term future and the rate of progression to me is also very important. Time will tell but that’s my sense of it. Of course, things are moving around quite a lot. You guys also know there are a lot of rumours going around. But that’s where I’m at.”
Asked if his contract includes a break clause that would allow him to leave Williams at the end of this year, Albon replied: “Let’s see. Time will tell. My focus is on 2024, let’s keep it like that. The real focus is on making sure we make the right progress for 2025.
“That’s really where I’m at. I realistically want to be with the team. If the team are where I want them to be it will be a long-term contract. We’re going to go all the way or nothing. That’s my idea with it, I guess.”
Albon went on to explain that despite being fully committed to helping Williams in their bid to restore former glories, he will be keeping an eye out for any other opportunities that might arise elsewhere in the paddock.
“Precisely that,” he said. “Realistically, at the same time, at my age I feel like I’m very close to my peak. There’s always areas to improve but, generally, with my experience now I feel like I am deserving of a car that can fight for podiums and wins. That’s just being totally honest with how I see myself.
“More than anything I want that team to be Williams and that’s what I put all my work and effort into. Outside of that, it’s just how does it all fall into place? It’s very clear to me, especially when you see the driver market, there’s huge interest in teams wanting the same driver for ’25 and ’26. That’s how it looks like it’s playing out. Let’s see about that.”
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