Alex Albon admits ‘where I see myself’ amid F1 star’s Red Bull, Mercedes ‘chats’

Follow us on Google Discover

Alex Albon admits he has held ‘general chats’ about his long-term future amid the Williams F1 driver emerging as a candidate to go to Red Bull or Mercedes in 2025.

The 27-year-old is among the hottest properties on the driver market after a brilliant season last year. Albon inspired Williams to their best finish in the constructors’ championship since 2017. He scored 27 of the Grove squad’s 28 points to take P7 beside rookie Logan Sargeant.

Team principal James Vowles has moved to fend off interest in Albon’s services by clarifying that he is under contract at Williams through 2025. But the London-born Thai is on Red Bull and Mercedes’ radars with Sergio Perez out of contract and Lewis Hamilton going to Ferrari.

Red Bull move to thwart Mercedes’ interest in Alex Albon

Perez only has a contract with Red Bull for the 2024 season and must bounce back this year to merit a new deal. The 34-year-old gave the Milton Keynes outfit their first one-two finish in the drivers’ championship in 2023. But he penned 290 fewer points than Max Verstappen.

The Mexican even admitted to having his ‘worst weekend’ as a Formula 1 driver at the Qatar GP. While Peter Windsor claims Red Bull have already offered Albon a three-year contract to replace Perez in 2025. But that was while Albon was only said to be under contract for 2024.

Reports by Motorsport.com also now suggest that Red Bull have offered Albon a first option to join in 2026 to fend off Mercedes’ interest. The Silver Arrows are searching for a new star for 2025 after Hamilton triggered a release clause in his contract to join Ferrari for next year.

Williams star Alex Albon admits ‘where I see myself’ in F1

The lucrative option would give Red Bull first refusal to sign Albon to a multi-year deal from 2026 if he decides to leave Williams. But the Red Bull academy product now admits that he sees himself in Grove. Although Albon also concedes there are ‘chats’ regarding his future.

Albon said, via GP Fans: “I would be denying it if I said that there [have not] been questions and general chats surrounding around that. But, truthfully, it’s not really personally my area – that’s more my management. 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 that I hope we’ve made as a team.

“My whole focus is on Williams and that’s where I see myself. The rate of progression to me is also very important. So, time will tell.”

Team principal Vowles also sees Albon enjoying a long-term future at Williams, according to Lawrence Barretto. The Grove squad are trying to get the two-time podium finisher with Red Bull during 2020 to sign a new, long-term contract to fend off interest at their rival F1 teams.