The future of Alex Albon at Williams seems all laid out

Called by Red Bull in the mid-season of 2019 following Pierre Gasly’s demotion, Alex Albon had a golden opportunity to shine in the Austrian team. After a lukewarm start in the second half of the 2019 season, he was kept alongside Max Verstappen for 2020. However, that year proved to be extremely challenging for the Thai driver. Red Bull immediately put pressure on him and his performances continued to deteriorate.

Another stroke of bad luck, Sergio Pérez leaving Racing Point. The Mexican had a great season, even winning the Sakhir Grand Prix at the end of the year. Red Bull saw him as the perfect teammate for Max Verstappen, and Albon paid the price for this choice. Being sidelined from Formula 1, the Thai driver believed he would never get another chance. However, Russell’s departure to Mercedes opened up a spot at the end of 2021, and Alex Albon had the opportunity to come back. Granted, it wasn’t with a top team, but with Williams. After all, who would refuse an offer like that?

Leader of Williams

With George Russell’s departure for Mercedes, Williams was losing its leader, that’s for sure. But Albon has also shown himself to be one. At this stage of the 2023 season, after a year and a half with Williams, it’s fair to say that the British team didn’t really lose out with Albon.

However, in 2022, doubts resurfaced regarding Alex Albon. The Williams was not a competitive car at all and the Thai driver was not comfortable. This can be understood. With only 4 points scored for the team, the record was weak. But we still saw in Alex Albon the image of a leader, someone who would be able to motivate the team.

In 2023, the Williams isn’t significantly better. But the arrival of James Vowles at the helm has managed to motivate the troops. As a result, Williams is currently 9th in the constructors’ championship with 7 points, only 1 point less than the total in 2022. There is some improvement. This improvement would mean nothing without the talent of Albon, who scored all of Williams’ points in 2023. A talent that was also proven during the Canadian Grand Prix, where the Thai driver achieved a magnificent result: an unexpected 7th place after a masterfully managed race. This is the driver Williams needed.

But more than the talent of the Thai, it’s his leadership that helps Williams show their teeth. The 27-year-old driver makes few mistakes and maximizes the result whenever possible. He is calm and leverages his experience to help his young rookie teammate Logan Sargeant in his understanding of Formula 1. After all, not everyone has had the chance to be in a Red Bull for a year and a half.

There is no doubt that this return to Williams is a winning comeback. And it was not a given for the Thai driver after that big failure at Red Bull. Sometimes, it takes time for the drivers.

A future at Williams or elsewhere?

With these very good performances, Alex Albon has secured a multi-year contract with Williams. Something he sees as a privilege, by the way. For someone who experienced pressure at Red Bull, we can understand. But will his future be written in the British team over the next few years? If he continues to perform at this level, Williams will have no interest in getting rid of him. On the contrary, they may even want to extend his contract again. It seems difficult to imagine Alex Albon being worried at Williams, he is now a pillar in the team’s reconstruction. With James Vowles, furthermore, the reorganization of Williams is in good hands.

So, there you have it, Albon’s future years in F1 could happen at Williams. However, if the Thai driver continues to perform at this level with a back-of-the-grid car, it seems impossible for teams not to be interested in him. But who?

Midfield stables could be interested in his profile in the coming years. It is also worth noting that in 2026, Audi will join the grid and the cards could be reshuffled. Other teams wishing to enter Formula 1 in 2026 include Andretti-Cadillac, Formula Equal, and Hitech. These unknowns could shake up the grid and allow some to take advantage. Alex Albon could be one of them. And if not, why not imagine a return to Red Bull? Certainly, it seems completely impossible, but who knows? He has already been there and knows how it works. And with Pérez’s poor form, he could take advantage. Although this situation may seem unreal, it should be kept in mind because in Formula 1, anything can happen.

Maybe Williams will manage to turn things around as well, and come back to the midfield. Alex Albon will then be able to show his talent to the entire paddock. But it’s still too early to tell.

One thing is certain: Alex Albon has secured a place in Formula 1 with this winning comeback at Williams. Previously overlooked by Red Bull, the Thai driver has bounced back perfectly and now establishes himself as a true leader within the British team. He now holds all the cards to decide the future of his second career.