Alex Albon has signed a new contract at Williams to commit his future to the team. They have successfully put to bed any uncertainty around his future.
Albon joined Williams at the start of the 2022 season, a year on from being released by Red Bull. He’s successfully built his reputation at the Grove outfit.
Last year, he almost single-handedly led them to seventh in the constructors’ championship – their best showing since 2017. Albon scored 27 of their 28 points, including two seventh-place finishes.
More than half the grid are out of contract for 2025, but Albon wasn’t part of that group. His deal still had another 18 months to run.
But his decision is a show of faith in the team’s direction under team principal James Vowles. Williams say it’s a ‘multi-year’ extension, so he’s now contracted until at least the end of 2027.
There had been talk that Red Bull had offered him a contract for the 2026 season. The Bulls saw him as a potential ‘team leader’ if Max Verstappen left.
George Russell sends Instagram message to Alex Albon after Williams deal
Williams announced the news on their social media channels on Wednesday afternoon. It’s sure to be one of the big topics of conversation on media day at Imola.
Mercedes driver George Russell was quick to celebrate the news. He wrote ‘congrats Albono’ in an Instagram comment, followed by an applause emoji.
Russell spent the first three years of his F1 career at Williams before he stepped up to Mercedes. Both parties will look back fondly on the relationship, particularly his podium finish at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.
The 26-year-old is also a close friend of Albon. They were close competitors in the 2019 Formula 2 season, when Russell won the championship and the Thai driver finished third.
Who will partner Alex Albon at Williams?
All focus will now be on the identity of Albon’s partner for 2025 and beyond. Perhaps the least likely outcome at this stage would be a new deal for the struggling Logan Sargeant.
Sargeant has looked like a lame duck at Williams ever since the events of the Australian Grand Prix in March. Albon severely damaged one of the two available FW-46 chassis in practice, and Vowles allowed him to race in Sargeant’s place.
One journalist feels that the American has effectively been ‘pre-fired’, with talk of Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli replacing him before the year is out. Sargeant may only have until Antonelli’s 18th birthday in late August before he loses his drive.
The Italian’s stint at Williams could prove to be brief, however. He’s a contender to replace Lewis Hamilton, and if he shows Mercedes he’s ready, he could receive a call-up from Toto Wolff.
In that event, it’s possible that Valtteri Bottas returns. Bottas has already held talks with Williams after Sauber signed Nico Hulkenberg for next season.
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