Hamilton's Ferrari move sparks HUGE driver ultimatum
Hamilton's Ferrari move sparks HUGE driver ultimatum
Alex Albon's future has been one of the big issues discussed in the paddock in the wake of Lewis Hamilton's impending move to Ferrari.
The Anglo-Thai driver has been linked with moves to both Mercedes and Red Bull to replace Hamilton and Sergio Perez in recent weeks, with hints that he may be able to get out of his Williams contract if a big team came calling.
Albon and Williams team principal James Vowles spoke to GPFans, among other select media, at the team's New York City season launch and had differing opinions about how steadfast a 2025 collaboration is.
Alex Albon's 2025 Contract
"Alex is signed in Williams until the end of 2025," Vowles explicitly stated. "That's signed. It's not something I've been very public about because I don't feel the need to.
READ MORE: F1 boss makes BOLD Ricciardo prediction ahead of new season
"So any reports that you're seeing, and there's one particular... that individual is speculating at best speculating."
Albon was a little more coy about being so committal for the long term when asked about his 2025 plans with the rumours surrounding him.
"I would be denying it if I said that there have been no questions and general chats around that topic," he admitted.
While Vowles confirmed his star driver is contracted to the team for two more seasons, Albon is aware of the upcoming landscape with the 2026 regulation changes.
"It's very clear to me, especially when you see the driver market, there's a huge interest in teams wanting the same driver for 2025 and 2026. That's how it looks like it's playing out, and let's see about that."
Perhaps the most telling comment about the Albon-Williams contract's lack of rigidity came from Vowles' answer to whether he'd prevent Albon from joining a bigger team:
"Would I stand in his way? I have the responsibility of Williams on my shoulders. That's the most important thing to me. 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 that are correct for the team's long-term goals, not short-term."
Albon is no different to a champion
Even with a 2025 contract in place, Vowles is aware that the current perception is Albon is bringing more to Williams than the other way around – something he's keen to address.
"It is our job in Williams to create an environment that deserves someone of the calibre of Alex, simple as that. I've said that from the beginning, and I still maintain that.
"He is an incredible driver that deserves his place towards the front. He did drives last year that are...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 for us."
Albon, too, is mindful of his current high stock value and that, at 27, he can't wait forever to fight at the front.
"I feel like I'm at or very close to my peak," says Albon. "There are always improvements to be done and areas to improve, but generally, with my experience now and where I am, I feel like I'm deserving of a car that can score podiums and fight for wins.
"That's just being totally honest with how I see myself. More than anything, I want that team to be Williams, and that's where I put all my work and all my efforts into."
Albon and Williams: All or nothing
A Formula 1 contract is never as black and white as it appears, as Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez, and Oscar Piastri have all demonstrated in recent years.
It seems Albon will assess how much flexibility there is on his 2025 agreement as the 2024 season progresses.
"My focus is on 2024," he confirms. "The real focus is on making sure that we make progress for 2025. If the team is where I want them to be, it will be a long-term contract. We're going to go all the way or nothing."
The team's 2024 challenger, the FW46, looks key to Albon's Grove longevity.
"I'm very excited to see how the FW46 develops. I want to see how the car feels in Bahrain and the subsequent four, five, six races, and really get a feel for the progression that I hope we've made as a team.
"My whole focus is on Williams, and that's where I see myself. I'm seeing about the long-term future, and the rate of progression to me is also very important.
"Of course, things are moving around quite a lot. There's a lot of rumours going around, but that's that. That's where I'm at."
READ MORE: What the 2025 F1 grid looks like after MASSIVE Hamilton move
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Mercedes F1 star makes astonishing Hamilton admission
- 10 minutes ago
Rosberg explains why Hamilton's move to Ferrari was the 'right decision'
- Yesterday 20:00
Audi chief hits back at Marko over Sainz approach claim
- Yesterday 19:00
Andretti reveals 'solid date' when new US F1 team will join the grid
- Yesterday 18:00
McLaren boss Brown hints at SENSATIONAL Alonso return with 'any day' claim
- Yesterday 17:00
Former F1 boss claims Hamilton's Ferrari move is fuelled by 'ego'
- Yesterday 16:00
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860
Realtimes | Publishing Network
Copyright (©) 2017 - 2024 GPFans.com
Realtimes | Publishing Network