Williams boss James Vowles has predicted that the next “big driver market move” will materialise by the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Red Bull’s struggles had threatened to unsettle the driver market as rumours ensued that Max Verstappen was angling for a possible move to Mercedes for 2026.
But at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Dutchman provided a temporary respite to the Milton Keynes-based squad as he reiterated his intention to race for the team.
Looking forward into the latest era of the sport, Vowles is of the opinion that Verstappen or any other big-name driver could completely rejig the grid for 2027.
“I think the end of 2026 will be another big driver market move,” he told Sky Sports F1. “A lot of contracts come up at that stage.”
The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly all have contracts ending by 2026, including Vowles’ own driver line-up consisting of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
But he is confident that he can convince the duo to extend their alliance with the Grove-based squad, notwithstanding any potential reshuffles happening across the grid.
“Simple answer is this: I have two drivers who believe in what we’re doing in terms of the longevity of this team, the investment in this team and the direction to go back towards winning championships,” he asserted.
Why Vowles is sure he can retain Albon and Sainz
The pairing of Sainz and Albon has paid dividends for Vowles, who sees his team sit fifth in the Constructors’ standings, leading the midfield battle.
Naturally, moving into the 2026 regulations reset, the Briton would want continuity, especially after divulging his plans to build a sustainable and long-term project at Williams – something he began by signing Sainz, a proven Grand Prix winner, last year.
“My job in all of this is making sure they’re fairly rewarded for that journey and they want to be a part of that journey as well at the same time,” continued Vowles.
“That’s what I can provide and offer them.”
Albon’s stock in the paddock has been rising steadily since he signed with the Grove-based team in 2022.
He is widely regarded as a consistent, dependable, and fast driver, qualities which many team bosses would be willing to pay top dollar for.
But Vowles says Williams can offer its drivers something that not many other teams would be willing to.
“Now if someone wants to offer them twice that money, that’s there choice in doing so,” he added.
“But they are key leaders that are having direct impact on what this car looks like tomorrow and what it looks like in a year’s time, something not provided to a lot of drivers up and down the grid, almost treated as a separate asset, a separate entity that comes in.
“That’s not what we provide here. The second part of it is making sure we have conversations early enough in 2026 that this is where I want us to be for the future.”
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