Williams Formula 1 boss James Vowles has cooled rumours linking Alex Albon with a move away from the team in 2025, clarifying that he is under contract for next season.
Albon has been a standout performer since returning to the grid two years ago, amassing all but one of Williams’ 28 points in 2023 as it clinched seventh place in the standings.
Subsequently, he had been speculated as a possible option if Ferrari elected to replace Carlos Sainz until the revelation last week that Hamilton would be taking that drive.
However, Hamilton’s bombshell decision has opened up a vacancy at Mercedes for next season and Albon has been touted as a top candidate to partner with George Russell.
But speaking at the launch of the team’s 2024 livery on Monday, Vowles addressed that Albon retains a deal for next season.
“Alex has signed with Williams until the end of 2025, that’s signed” Vowles revealed.
“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.
“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.”
Albon, who has also been linked with a return to Red Bull, admitted previously that his desire was to win races and titles, while Vowles conceded Williams wouldn’t be in a position to make sizeable inroads until the upcoming 2026 overhaul to the regulations.
Although the Anglo-Thai driver was more coy about his prospects beyond this year, he hinted that succeeding with Williams remained his primary priority at this moment.
Asked whether he could guarantee his 2025 contract meant he would stay with the team, Albon replied: “Let’s see. Time will tell.
“My focus is on 2024 is let’s keep it like that the real focus is on making sure that you make progress for 2025, that’s really where I’m at.
“Realistically, I want to be with the team. If the team is where I want it to be, it will be a long-term contract. We’re going to go all the way or nothing. That’s my idea about it.”
Albon being under contract with Williams for 2025 doesn’t ensure that he will stick with the Grove-based squad, though, as a rival side could negotiate a premature release.
When that proposal was put to him, Vowles refused to comment on whether he would allow Albon to move and asserted that the side’s interests would remain paramount.
“Would I stand in his way? I have the responsibility of Williams on my shoulders, that’s the most important thing to me,” Vowles communicated.
“It’s not the responsibility towards one individual, in this case Alex, it’s a 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 and not the short term.”
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