F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Vowles clarifies Albon’s future with Williams beyond 2024

Amidst a whirlwind of driver market speculation, Williams team principal James Vowles has set the record straight: Alex Albon is staying put, secured by a contract extending through 2025.

This news comes as a welcome anchor for the team following whispers of potential Red Bull and Mercedes moves for Albon.

The Anglo-Thai racer's impressive 2023 season, where he scored 27 of Williams' 28 points, fueled rumors of a Red Bull return, particularly with Sergio Perez's seat still up for grabs in 2025.

Then, the news last week of Lewis Hamilton's surprise switch to Ferrari further stirred the pot, making Albon a potential candidate for the vacant Mercedes seat.

At the team’s launch in New York on Monday of its 2024 contender, Albon himself admitted that being earmarked as a potential candidate for Hamilton’s plum drive at Mercedes was “confidence fulfilling”.

Read also:

Albon: 'Fulfilling to know there is talk' about Hamilton seat

However, Vowles shut down any speculation on his driver’s future.

"Alex has signed with Williams until the end of 2025, that's signed," he clarified.

"It's not something I've been very public about, because I don't feel the need to. So, any reports that you're seeing, and there's one in particular, they are individually speculating at best.

"As I've also said, it is our job in Williams to create a new environment that deserves someone of the calibre of Alex. Simple as that.

"He is an incredible driver that deserves his place towards the front. He and I have good chats about where we want to move forward.”

Vowles sees a long-term vision with Albon, adding: “We want to have our journey together in this team for a long time. We have to earn that right. It's not given by any stretch of imagination.

"We have to demonstrate to the world that we're not Williams of old, and we're not looking backwards, we're moving forward continuously."

With Albon's future secured, Williams can focus on developping a competitive car and environment that matches his talent.

This stability promises an exciting journey for both driver and team, leaving fans eager to see where their shared path leads.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.