Will Buxton says 27-year-old will now be a ‘major player’ in F1 driver market in 2024

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Journalist Will Buxton has admitted that Alex Albon’s contract situation at Williams is likely to have a huge influence on the Formula 1 driver market in 2024.

Buxton was speaking on The Fast and The Curious Podcast and attention was already being turned to next season.

That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty still to play for in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

Although both championships might be sewn up, plenty of teams and drivers still have individual battles they want to win.

However, soon everyone’s attention with be firmly on next season where there’s going to be a level of stability not seen in F1 in some time.

Only one current driver hasn’t had his seat confirmed for next year and that’s Logan Sargeant, although he is expected to stay with Williams.

The majority of the grid sees their contracts run out at the end of 2024 and Will Buxton believes Alex Albon could be the key to where drivers end up moving.

The British-born Thai driver is overperforming at Williams right now, having scored 27 of their 28 points this season.

Although his time with Red Bull didn’t go to plan, it’s hard to imagine the 27-year-old not seeing next year as the perfect opportunity to move on.

With Sergio Perez’s future hanging in the balance, he could be considered as an option to replace him.

Otherwise, there are other seats on the grid expected to open up and he could start the driver’s merry-go-round in F1 with whatever decision he makes.

Buxton thinks Albon is key to 2024 driver’s market

Speaking about the two-time podium finisher, Buxton said: “Helmut Marko said earlier in the season that Red Bull had probably been a bit too quick in letting him go.

“They see now the potential that exists within him and they probably didn’t treat him the right way to maximise that and draw that out of him.

“And we’re going to have a scenario in a year’s time where the vast majority of seats are going to be up for grabs and he’s going to be a major player in the market.”

Only seven drivers have contracts that are confirmed to run until the end of the 2025 season, with Alpine currently holding an option on Pierre Gasly’s deal to extend it beyond next year.

It means that more than half the grid could move in 2024 and Buxton believes Albon will play a big part in where everyone goes.

Sergio Perez, both Ferraris, Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon are among the drivers fighting for their futures next year.

Buxton has already admitted that the Mexican isn’t even safe during next season with Red Bull notoriously harsh when it comes to their driver’s futures.

Albon should be regularly competing for podiums and with three of the top five teams from this season potentially reviewing their driver line-ups, he’ll be in conversation for all of those seats right now.

It’s up to Williams to see if they can build a competitive enough car to convince the 27-year-old to extend his time with the team going forward.