Alex Albon has become the latest driver to clarify his future in Formula 1 by signing a multi-year contract extension with Williams. The Thai driver already had a deal to stay with the British team for 2025 – so why has he moved so quickly to extend his stay? F1 Correspondent Lawrence Barretto explains…
Alex Albon was heading to, in his words, “kiss stingrays” with his girlfriend Lily Muni He while on Grand Cayman when the new contract dropped into his inbox.
The 28-year-old has been a driver in demand, following a stellar two years with Williams that has rebuilt his reputation after he was dropped by Red Bull.
READ MORE: Albon signs multi-year contract extension with Williams
He near single-handedly guided Williams to a shock seventh in the constructors’ championship last year, scoring all but one of their points with – in the words of his boss James Vowles – “championship-level” performances.
It was no surprise, then, that several teams courted him. Red Bull are understood to have had an option on him for 2026, for example.
However, Williams really wanted to keep hold of him. They had him tied up for 2025 but they wanted a longer-term commitment, one that would give them consistency into the new rules cycle that begins in 2026, and fend off rivals snatching their guy.
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