Alex Albon has signed a multi-year contract extension with Williams.
The British-born Thai driver had been linked with each Crimson Bull and Mercedes however has now agreed a deal that can preserve him with Williams till a minimum of the top of the 2026 Method 1 season.
Confirming the extension on Wednesday, Williams stated Albon had signed “a multi-year contract extension which takes the partnership into the new era of Formula 1 regulations,” which shall be launched in 2026.
The 28-year-old joined Williams in 2022 after a yr out of the game, having been let go on the finish of 2020 by Crimson Bull following a season as Max Verstappen’s team-mate.
“I am incredibly happy to be remaining with Williams Racing and to continue working with such a talented and dedicated team of people,” Albon stated.
“It has been a troublesome begin to the yr however since becoming a member of Williams now we have made vital progress collectively and I’ve seen the massive adjustments occurring behind the scenes to take us again to the entrance of the grid.
“This is a long-term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role in which is why I have signed a multi-year contract. The journey will take time but I am confident we are building the right team to move forward and achieve great things in the years to come.”
Regardless of staff principal James Vowles having repeatedly dismissed hypothesis over Albon’s future by insisting his earlier contract ran till the top of 2025, as just lately because the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month, the Thai driver had refused to substantiate he could be driving for Williams subsequent season.
Williams seemed to be making progress as Albon drove impressively to complete thirteenth within the 2023 world championship, however the staff have failed to attain some extent within the opening six races of the present marketing campaign.
“We are delighted to secure Alex’s long-term future with Williams Racing,” Vowles stated.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Albon covers the monitor in particles to deliver out the purple flag in Apply One on the Australian GP
“He has exceptional talent, technical input and dedication to the cause and this is a huge vote of confidence in Williams and the journey back to competitiveness that we are on.
“Since becoming a member of, Alex has constantly demonstrated his means to carry out below strain, and signing him for the long-term is an enormous piece of the puzzle of shifting us up the grid.”
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Emilia Romagna GP schedule
Thursday May 16
1.30pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday May 17
8:50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2:55pm: F2 Qualifying
3:45pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5:30pm: The F1 Show
Saturday Might 18
9am: F3 Dash
11:15am: Emilia Romagna GP Apply Three (session begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.10pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
5.30pm: Indy 500 Qualifying
Sunday Might 19
7.30am: F3 Characteristic Race
9am: F2 Characteristic Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
8pm: Indy 500 Qualifying
Method 1 heads to Europe as Imola returns to the calendar following final yr’s cancelled race. Watch the Emilia Romagna GP on Might 17-19. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
