234-point F1 driver tried to ‘get out’ of his current team for 2025 but his buyout clause was too high

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Four Formula 1 drivers will race for new teams in 2025. Of those, Lewis Hamilton was the only one who escaped an existing contract.

Hamilton signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes in August 2023. But the second year of that agreement was optional, with either party able to break it.

When the opportunity to join Ferrari arose, the seven-time world champion activated the exit clause. Mercedes replaced him by promoting from within – academy driver Kimi Antonelli will take on the task.

Carlos Sainz had hoped to earn a new deal at Maranello, with his terms due to expire at the end of 2024. Through no fault of his own, Ferrari decided to let him go.

Elsewhere, Alpine came to the mutual decision to part ways with Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman will race for midfield rivals Haas instead.

He replaces Nico Hulkenberg, who was one of the first drivers to seal a transfer. Like more than half the grid, Hulkenberg was out of contract, and Sauber successfully snapped him up ahead of Audi’s arrival in 2026.

Alex Albon unsuccessfully looked at alternatives to Williams for 2025

In the midst of a manic driver market, Alex Albon looked for a route out of Williams. Albon has rebuilt his reputation at Grove after losing his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020.

But he may have grown frustrated with the limitations of machinery. He only scored four points in his first season, and while he improved to 27 last year, he’s managed just 12 in the first 21 races of 2024.

Albon might feel he deserves better, but as ESPN’s Nate Saunders explains, he was restricted by his ‘very clever’ contract. Williams team boss James Vowles inserted a significant buyout clause.

Mercedes were linked with Albon, but none of his suitors were ready to pay the required fee. That deal ran until the end of 2025, and he subsequently signed an extension.

“Williams have gained a bit of a reputation in recent years, since the arrival of James Vowles, for these very, very clever contracts,” Saunders said on the Unlapped podcast. “It’s one of the reasons that Alex Albon is still there.

“Alex Albon and his team have looked at other places to get out of [Williams]. He’s got quite a big buyout clause in his contract. A lot of teams aren’t willing to spend a lot of money when they could go and get another driver without the buyout, especially if it’s a young driver you’ve invested in already.”

The Alex Albon comments that no longer stack up after Williams revelation

If he wasn’t aware already, this revelation may concern Sainz. He’s placed faith in a project that clearly hasn’t convinced Albon.

Speaking in the summer, Albon predicted Williams could win races by 2027. If he truly believes that, it’s difficult to understand why he tried to leave.

Perhaps he wanted to drive for a contending team earlier, but he ought to manage his expectations. Top teams will be wary of taking him on after his rather brutal defeat at the hands of Max Verstappen.

A long-term shot of a first race win is James Vowles is the best he can realistically hope for right now. Juan Pablo Montoya fears that Albon can’t handle the pressure of having a fast teammate, so his partnership with Sainz could truly be make or break.