The latest piece of the Formula 1 driver’s jigsaw puzzle fell into place on Wednesday.
Alex Albon already had a contract until the end of 2025 with Williams, but has signed a new long-term deal with the team that will see him remain with the manufacturer for the start of the new regulations in 2026.
Speaking on the ESPN Unlapped Podcast, journalist Nate Saunders has shared who he believes will be racing alongside the Thai driver next year.
While Albon’s future in Formula 1 beyond this season was always guaranteed, his teammate Logan Sargeant is in a much more precarious position.
It looks almost certain that the American will lose his seat at the end of the season, with some suggesting he could leave as early as the summer break.
It’s not been suggested that Alex Albon could be joined at Williams for 2025 by current Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas.
The Finnish driver is yet to get off the mark in the Drivers’ Championship in 2024 and appears unlikely to retain his seat.
READ MORE: Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
Alex Albon could be joined at Williams by Valtteri Bottas in 2025
It’s safe to say that the 2024 Formula 1 season hasn’t started particularly well for Albon or Bottas.
The 34-year-old Finn has driven very well for Sauber, but painfully slow pit stops in the opening races denied him the chance to score any points.
He also faces the impending news that he’s likely to lose his seat next year as the Audi takeover of Sauber approaches.
Nico Hulkenberg has already been signed up for next year and the German manufacturer are desperate for Carlos Sainz to join him.
For Alex Albon, the opportunity to build on last season’s brilliant performances simply hasn’t been there.
READ MORE: Williams driver Alex Albon’s life outside F1 from net worth, girlfriend to parents
Williams gave him Sargeant’s chassis in Australia after destroying his in practice but could only guide the car to 11.
He was taken out by Daniel Ricciardo in Japan and Sargeant out-qualified him for the first time in the Miami Sprint Race after he had a time deleted.
Albon and Bottas might be able to put their bad luck aside in 2025 together at Williams.
It would be a welcome return to the team for the Finn who went on to secure 10 race victories with Mercedes after impressing with the Grove-based outfit between 2013 and 2016.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship
Valtteri Bottas would replace Logan Sargeant at Williams
Asked who could potentially replace Logan Sargeant at Williams, Saunders said: “I think Valtteri Bottas will end up there.
“Let’s be honest, Logan Sargeant hasn’t done anything and unless he has an amazing middle of the season, we haven’t seen any evidence that that’s around the corner.
“It’s not like he’s down on his luck or he’s had a few races where you’re like, if the strategy had just gone better maybe he’d have scored a point, he’s just not been there.
“And if you compare him to [Alex] Albon, Albon’s been wiping the floor with him.
“I’d like to see Bottas go back there, maybe there are better options in terms of young drivers but what Williams want to do is they really want to build themselves back into first a legitimate midfield team and then maybe in the next five to ten years, maybe take a stab at that top pack.
“Now, that might sound very optimistic but that’s what James Vowles wants to do. You really need to have two competitive drivers to do that and Bottas coming back to the team, it’s a great story.
“We know what Valtteri could do at Mercedes, I think the whole situation at Sauber is just a bit bleak, it doesn’t seem like there’s a huge amount there for him to be racing for as he knows he’s on the way out.
“They’re building something that doesn’t involve him, so I could see that happening.”
Williams long-term ambitions could be achieved with two experienced drivers
If Williams do line up with Albon and Bottas in 2025 then they’ll be in a stronger position than they are now.
The team may be lingering at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship, but that’s partly down to one winter of pain hopefully setting them up for long-term success.
Both drivers have been guilty of costing the team time and money with big crashes that have set them back in their development.
Their first major upgrade package is coming to Imola, but nearly every team on the grid will be hoping to make the same step forward.
However, Albon’s decision to stay suggests he’s privy to information that things are going to get better in the short-to-medium term.
With Bottas almost certainly seeking employment elsewhere after 2024, that show of faith from Albon could be the clinching factor in him making his next move.
The post ‘On the way out’: Journalist suggests 0-point driver ‘will end up’ as Alex Albon’s teammate in 2025 appeared first on F1 Oversteer.