How Alex Albon privately feels about potential 2026 Red Bull return as Thai owners plot surprise ‘reunion’

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Alex Albon became one of the many victims of the second Red Bull seat when he joined the team in 2019. He was dominated by Max Verstappen until his exit in 2020.

The Thai driver was afforded his chance at Red Bull midway through his rookie season in 2019, when he jumped from Toro Rosso to the main team to replace the underperforming Pierre Gasly. But like his predecessor, and Daniel Ricciardo in 2018, he struggled next to Verstappen.

Albon scored just two podiums for the Milton Keynes outfit before Christian Horner sacked him at the end of 2020. The 29-year-old dropped off the grid entirely before making his return with Williams in 2022.

Since then, Albon has established himself as the Grove outfit’s lead driver. He regularly got his underwhelming machinery into the points and dominated teammates Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant, before Franco Colapinto offered some competition in 2024.

In 2025, Carlos Sainz is his biggest challenge yet, but the Thai driver is outperforming him in competitive sessions. Albon has been one of the standout drivers this season as he sits eighth in the standings, and his performances are attracting attention from his old team.

Alex Albon has ‘little interest’ in returning to Red Bull as he views Williams more favourably

It has been reported that Red Bull’s Thai ownership ‘would love’ to sign Albon and bring him back to Milton Keynes. Chalem Yoovidhya, who owns 49% of the team, has a good relationship with his fellow compatriot.

Max Verstappen has committed to Red Bull for 2026, while teammate Yuki Tsunoda and Racing Bulls duo Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson are out of contract in 2025. While they already have options within the team, Red Bull could look outside their current crop of drivers.

However, according to a report from Formule1.NL, Albon has felt, ‘and still feels’, little interest in making a return to Red Bull. The project at Williams is more appealing to him, and it offers more security as Albon has a contract until 2027.

What’s more is that Williams will be powered by Mercedes engines under the 2026 technical regulations, which are tipped to be the fastest. There is no guarantee that Red Bull’s power unit will be competitive, with concerns already coming within the team.

READ MORE: Williams star Alex Albon’s life outside F1 with net worth, girlfriend to parents

Who will race for Red Bull in the 2026 season?

As aforementioned, Red Bull will have Verstappen on board for 2026. That is a much-needed boost for the team, especially given the headache of their other three drivers, who do not currently have contracts for next year.

Tsunoda is likely to be dropped as he is suffering the worst season from a Red Bull driver, with seven points scored since he replaced Lawson two races into 2025. Hadjar is the favourite to replace Tsunoda after impressing with Racing Bulls in his rookie season.

There is a possibility, albeit a slim one, that the Japanese driver could save his seat if his results improve dramatically in the final 10 races. However, Verstappen’s decision to stay has damaged Tsunoda in his bid to stay with the team.

A return to Racing Bulls seems off the cards, with Lawson set to sign a new deal for 2026. Formula 2 star Arvid Lindblad is likely to join the grid next season, leaving Tsunoda needing to pursue other options.