Alex Albon has been non-committal on remaining with Williams long-term, as he suspects movement in the Formula 1 driver market will happen in the coming weeks.
The Anglo-Thai driver has rebuilt his reputation since returning to F1 in 2022, scoring all but one of Williams’ 28 points last term as it claimed seventh in the standings.
Those exploits elevated Albon’s name into contention for a return to a top seat, with reports emerging that Red Bull has requested an option on its ex-driver’s services.
Asked whether he could guarantee that he would be with the Grove-based squad next season, Albon replied: “Erm… I won’t comment for now. I’m still focused on this.
“Everything is moving early, very quickly, obviously Nico [Hulkenberg] has just pulled somewhat of a trigger at Sauber and I’m sure the second one is going to follow soon.
“Everything including my focus on where I go, not so much for next year but the year after, focusing on that side of things.
“These next couple of weeks are where the decisions for the whole grid is going to be finalised.”
Action in the driver market was triggered prior to the season starting when Ferrari announced that it had prised seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes.
Albon has admitted that it has been a newfound experience to balance questions on the current racing campaign and his future prospects this early into an F1 season.
Asked whether it was earlier than usual to deal with such speculation, Albon said: “Yes it is.
“Truthfully I’ve never been in a fortunate position to have talks so early. It is new for everyone not just myself.
“There’s a bit more work…you see a lot more managers walking around the paddock at this time of the year. He’s [his manager] out here for the first time this year.”
Albon had been viewed as a candidate for the vacant Mercedes drive, but Williams’ underwhelming start to the season has seen those links cool across recent times.
The British outfit’s decision to overhaul its car concept to eradicate long-standing limitations has seen it take a relative step back and fail to score in the first six races.
But Albon has insisted that Williams is on the right path and has suggested that next season will be a vital indicator despite revised regulations bookmarked for 2026.
Pressed on whether a long-term contract to cover that sizeable change was an essential factor in his decision, Albon answered: “No, not so much.
“I think it is more just the gelling of the team – the teams like that. 2025/26 is a nice way to understand how the team have conceptually designed their car and when you go to 2026 there is going to be such a huge difference to the car it’s nice to know where the DNA of the car is.
“It’s important just to feedback, understanding the language, the communication, that is why teams are so focused on 2025-26 transition. Is it make or break? No.”
