Albon is under contract for 2025 - Williams

Alex Albon is under contract at Williams for the 2025 season despite interest from front-running teams, according to the Williams team principal James Vowles. Red Bull and Mercedes both have vacancies beyond this year as it stands, with Sergio Perez’s contract expiring at the end of this season and Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari. RACER understands that both teams have shown interest in Albon at various points but Vowles says he’s contracted for 2025 at Williams. “Alex is signed in Williams until the end of 2025 – that’s signed,” Vowles said. “It’s not something I’ve been public about because I don’t feel the need to. Any reports you’re seeing, that individual is speculating, at best. As I’ve also said publicly, it’s our job at Williams to create an environment that deserves someone of the caliber of Alex, as simple as that. I still maintain that.  “He is an incredible driver that deserves his place towards the front. His drives last year were no different to some of the other champions I’ve worked with, he kept half the field behind at one race and we put him in difficult positions and he overcame that to score points. He and I have good chats about where we want to move forwards and where we want to move forwards is we want to have this journey together in this team for a long time. “We have to earn that right, it’s not a given by any stretch of the imagination, and nor should it be for that matter. So we have to demonstrate to the world that Williams is moving forward, hopefully that provides clarity.” However, Vowles said that doesn’t mean Albon is completely off-limits to other teams, suggesting he would be open to negotiations if he felt releasing the 27-year-old would benefit Williams long-term. “With the situation with Alex – would I stand in his way? I have the responsibility at Williams for much longer, that’s the most important thing to me,” he said. “It’s not the responsibility towards one individual – in this case Alex – it’s the responsibility towards the team. So should any decision go that way it’s because I’m very clear in my mind that I’ve made decisions with the team’s long-term goal in mind, not short.”