Despite his contract until 2025 with Williams, Alex Albon aware of the opportunities to be seized

On February 5 in New York, Williams unveiled its FW46 for the 2024 season of F1. Present on site, James Vowles and Alex Albon also took the opportunity to take stock of the Thai's contractual situation.

« Let me be clear, Alex is committed to Williams until the end of 2025. It's signed. We didn’t necessarily shout it from the rooftops quite simply because we didn’t feel it was necessary to do so,” revealed the director of the English team, a few days later the announcement of Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari.

Enough to try to sweep away the rumors at the time sending his 27-year-old driver to a top team, notably to Maranello replacing the seven-time world champion or Sergio Pérez at Red Bull.

Great loyalty

“If there’s speculation, it’s just speculation. As I have already said publicly, it is our responsibility to create the conditions for a driver of Alex's caliber to flourish. He is an incredible driver, who deserves his place at the front. (…) He and I have interesting discussions about the future, in the long term,” insisted James Vowles.

As for Alex Albon, the main person concerned said a little more and seemed not to want to put an end to the rumors: “I would be lying if I said there weren’t general contacts and discussions (with teams, Editor’s note). But this does not fall within my domain, rather that of my management. We'll see what the future holds. JI think I'm approaching the peak of my career, and with my experience, and my level, I think I deserve a car capable of fighting for podiums and victories. More than anything, I wish it was with Williams. This is why I work so hard. »

A Williams on the verge of points

Since these speeches, two Grand Prix have taken place and the first lessons can be learned.

For the moment, Pérez is fulfilling his contract at Red Bull by being second in the race and the idea of ​​a necessary replacement for the Mexican is less relevant in the midst of Horner affair. On the other hand, the FW46 is a mid-grid car, which is knocking on the points door behind a top 5 (Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren et Aston Martin) seeming inaccessible. Finally, Mercedes is giving itself time before finding the successor toHamilton.

First assessment for Albon, as he could have expected, his desire for podiums and victories may be difficult to satisfy this season. This observation will probably come back again in 2025, since James Vowles does not expect a return to the forefront before 2026 or 2027.

“We have to wait and see what happens,” assures Albon

Will the desire for success take precedence over the Londoner's loyalty to Williams? Asked about this in Formula 1's Beyond the Grid podcast, Alex Albon responded with sincerity, without saying too much, or clearly mentioning his contract binding him with his team until 2025: “We have to wait and see what happens. For my part, I am totally focused on the team. I feel like this seems a generic answer, but it's true that I love being part of this team, having this building process and this upward progression. »

“I won't deny that there are opportunities in this very disjointed transfer market. It's exciting, it's moving. But my attention and all my time are dedicated to the team and the desire to race,” he concluded.

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Kelman Marti