Williams hoping for early Albon release from Red Bull

Williams is set for talks with Red Bull over an early release for Alex Albon.

Current Red Bull reserve Albon is set to start with Williams in January as the team's replacement for Mercedes-bound George Russell.

Although the 25-year-old has already visited the team at its Grove headquarters upon his signing, contact since then has been limited according to team principal Jost Capito.

Capito, though, is hoping Red Bull will allow Albon to join Williams immediately after the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on December 12 given he will no longer be required for his reserve duties.

Asked as to Albon's start date, Capito said: "I think it will be after the last race.

"The contract starts in January but I think we will talk to Red Bull and ask 'What can we do because he stopped working for you after the last race because he does a lot of sim race preparation?'

"[So] If he can start after the last race and get involved with us."

As to the current level of contact, Capito added: "Not much because he's still working for Red Bull and he is in the simulator.

"His contract ends at the end of the year so when we are talking, it is more personal stuff, it is not technical stuff because we keep that very separate."

Capito has confirmed once Albon joins there will be no connection with Red Bull other than on a personal sponsorship level.

Regarding whether Albon would be recalled to Red Bull for 2023, Capito said: "We don't talk about the contract details. We only say he is a full Williams driver with no contract with Red Bull.

"What he has is Red Bull as his personal sponsor throughout his full career and he has the right to have personal sponsors, but it is not a Red Bull-Williams connection."

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