Red Bull have ‘no interest’ in signing £2.5m-a-year driver to replace Sergio Perez in 2025

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Red Bull Racing have somehow found themselves as the final team to confirm their line-ups for next year in one of the most chaotic driver markets in recent Formula 1 history.

At the beginning of 2024, Lewis Hamilton set off a chain reaction with his move to Ferrari that has impacted almost every single team on the grid.

Even McLaren, who are set for at least two more seasons with Lando Norris and Oscar PIastri have seen development driver Gabriel Bortoleto earn a seat at Sauber after his brilliant F2 campaign.

Red Bull started the year knowing Max Verstappen was tied down to a long-term deal – despite interest from Mercedes and Aston Martin – but that the other three positions within their two teams were up for grabs.

Yuki Tsunoda’s electric start at RB earned him a fifth year with Red Bull’s sister team, but Daniel Ricciardo was moved on after the Singapore Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez was also offered a new deal despite his poor form and has done very little to justify that decision.

Liam Lawson should theoretically be the final driver in the Red Bull quartet, but which team he ends up in depends on how long Perez has left.

Speaking on The Race Podcast, journalist Edd Straw has ruled out another driver entering the mix to drive for Red Bull next year.

Christian Horner was spotted entering the Williams paddock in Sao Paulo, to discuss a potential move for a driver.

While Franco Colapinto has been linked with Red Bull and Horner has ruled out a move for Carlos Sainz, it appears as though bringing in Alex Albon is also off the cards.

Red Bull have ‘no interest’ in signing Alex Albon to replace Sergio Perez

Straw was asked if Red Bull might be interested in offering Albon a deal given their interest in Colapinto and replied: “It’s a logical question and I know why you’re asking it, but no.

“There were some suggestions that was what conversations between Christian Horner and James Vowles were about but that’s not the case, they were about Colapinto.

“Red Bull would be certifiable were they to pay the amount of money it would take to get Williams to even consider letting Sainz go when he was on the free market a few months ago and would have signed for them in a flash.

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“And Williams would look pretty stupid having talked him up.

“So, I know that’s not going to change unless there’s a sudden massive change in policy and cost, for such an enormous amount of money.

“It’s all about Colapinto who could find himself in either of those RB or Red Bull Racing teams next season if a deal can be agreed.”

Alex Albon had a very difficult time during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Albon has long been considered Williams’s strongest driver ever since joining the team in 2022.

The £2.5m-a-year driver saw off the challenge of Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant but is now being pushed harder than he has been before by Colapinto.

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

Albon showed moments of his ability at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix before ultimately getting caught out by the weather.

Williams suffered millions of pounds worth of damage to their cars, with both Albon and Colapinto crashing in qualifying before the Argentinian found the barriers again in the race.

Albon was complaining about how bad his car was before showing in Q3 that he could potentially compete for a place on the front two rows of the grid.

Ultimately, that didn’t matter, as the crash Albon had at turn one on his final flying lap ruled him out of taking part in the race, with Williams unable to repair the damage he caused quickly enough.

Albon returning to Red Bull would be a very strange move, especially considering his previous spell alongside Verstappen.

He will want another shot at driving for a team capable at winning races, but it’s unlikely to be the best fit for the 28-year-old.