Audi have nailed down one driver for their entry into Formula 1 in 2026 and have a big decision to make on their second driver.
Nico Hulkenberg was confirmed as the German manufacturer’s first arrival and he will drive for Sauber in 2025 when his contract at Haas expires.
Speaking on The Race Podcast, journalist Edd Straw has been speaking about a driver who could join him next year who’s currently in a ‘weird’ position.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this season is the battle between the bottom five teams in the Constructors’ Championship.
The points structure in Formula 1 – which could change very soon – means that 10 drivers are fighting for a single point at times which has created some incredible battles.
The fight between Lance Stroll and Kevin Magnussen over 16 place in China comes to mind as they took part in some thrilling wheel-to-wheel action in the hope it might earn them a top-ten finish down the line.
Audi look like the team most likely to eventually escape from that battle when they enter as F1’s newest works team in 2026 and team principal Andreas Seidl is already a big fan of Alex Albon.
The Thai driver was the only person within those five teams prior to Hulkenberg’s announcement that already had a contract ready for 2025.
However – as Lewis Hamilton has proved with his move to Ferrari – just because a deal is already in place, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be fulfilled.
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Audi team principal Andreas Seidl ‘rates’ Williams driver Alex Albon
The nature of the grid this season means that several drivers who would have expected to be fighting for points every week are still to get off the mark in 2024.
Alpine have two race-winning drivers within their ranks – Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly – and yet neither has achieved a top-ten finish.
Alex Albon was sensational for Williams last season, scoring all but one of their points in 2023 and helping the team achieve a 7-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, he’s had to settle for a couple of 11-place finishes and will hope his fortunes change in Miami.
Audi boss Andreas Seidl will hope that Williams’s underperformance this season opens the door for Albon to leave the team.
While he’s unlikely to be the team’s first choice to partner Hulkenberg next year, he would still be a very strong option.
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Talking about the 28-year-old’s situation, Straw said: “I guess one driver who is in a weird position in the driver market is Alex Albon because as I understand it Williams have got an option on him next year.
“But, there are all sorts of discussions going on about a longer-term deal, they might be tempted if he doesn’t commit for longer to look elsewhere for 2025 which I think is a means to put a bit of pressure on him so he can’t just think, well I’ll do 2025 and then move on to wherever.
“I think Albon’s the other driver who if you’re Audi, and we know Andreas Seidl rates Albon as well might have looked at although it’s one of those ones where they’ll have to rate or there could be a cost attached to it.
“But, that could fit in quite well with all that Albon stuff going on over the coming months because you could get to the point where [Carlos] Sainz says yes or no and Alex Albon could be available, which would be a great signing.
“You could do a long-term deal with him and that’s a very good choice as a second prize to Sainz.”
Who could Audi partner Nico Hulkenberg with in 2025?
Andreas Seidl will hope that Albon does become available for Audi as it gives them additional leverage in the driver’s market.
The best option currently available to the German manufacturer is Carlos Sainz.
He’ll be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season and Audi would love the three-time race winner to join Hulkenberg.
Sainz will be keeping a close eye on what Red Bull and Mercedes do with seats potentially available at both teams.
Esteban Ocon is also potentially an option for Audi as the 27-year-old may not be too keen to stick around at Alpine given their start to 2024.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has been touted as a driver Audi could look at too, should Carlos Sainz sign up for a project elsewhere.
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