The Red Bull F1 team has found itself as one of the last teams to finalize its driver lineup for the upcoming Formula 1 season, amidst one of the most tumultuous driver markets in recent Formula 1 history.
The ripple effect of Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected move to Ferrari at the start of 2024 has reverberated throughout the grid, reshaping the future of nearly every team. This shift even reached McLaren, who had already committed to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for at least two more seasons, yet still saw their development driver Gabriel Bortoleto earn a seat at Sauber after a stellar Formula 2 campaign.
At the start of the year, Red Bull was confident that Max Verstappen’s long-term contract would keep him firmly in place, despite interest from both Mercedes and Aston Martin. However, the other three positions within their two teams remained uncertain. Yuki Tsunoda’s impressive performances earned him a fifth season with Red Bull’s sister team, while Daniel Ricciardo’s tenure was cut short after the Singapore Grand Prix.
Sergio Perez, despite a string of lackluster performances, was offered a new contract, though his struggles have done little to justify that decision. As for Liam Lawson, he is theoretically poised to be part of the Red Bull lineup, though his place depends on how much longer Perez remains in the picture.
In a discussion on The Race Podcast, journalist Edd Straw dispelled any speculation about Red Bull potentially signing another driver for the 2025 Formula 1 campaign. He pointed out that Christian Horner had been seen visiting the Williams paddock in São Paulo to discuss the possibility of a driver move. While Franco Colapinto has been linked to Red Bull, and Horner has ruled out Carlos Sainz as a potential candidate, it seems that a return for Alex Albon is also off the table.
According to Edd Straw, Red Bull has “no interest” in signing Alex Albon to replace Sergio Perez, despite their ongoing interest in Colapinto. When asked if Albon could be a contender for the seat, Straw firmly dismissed the possibility.
“It’s a logical question and I know why you’re asking it, but no. There were some suggestions that was what conversations between Christian Horner and James Vowles were about but that’s not the case, they were about Colapinto. Red Bull would be certifiable were they to pay the amount of money it would take to get Williams to even consider letting Carlos Sainz go when he was on the free market a few months ago and would have signed for them in a flash.” – he pointed out.
“And Williams would look pretty stupid having talked him up. So, I know that’s not going to change unless there’s a sudden massive change in policy and cost, for such an enormous amount of money. It’s all about Colapinto who could find himself in either of those RB or Red Bull Racing teams next season if a deal can be agreed.” – the Formula 1 journalist and broadcaster added.
Alex Albon faced a challenging weekend at the São Paulo Grand Prix, marking a particularly tough race for the Williams driver. Since joining the team in 2022, Albon has been widely regarded as its standout performer, overcoming the challenges posed by his teammates Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant. However, he is now facing stronger competition than ever from teammate Franco Colapinto.
He displayed glimpses of his skill during the São Paulo weekend but ultimately struggled, particularly as changing weather conditions caught him out. Williams, too, endured significant setbacks, with both Albon and Colapinto crashing during qualifying, and the Argentine driver repeating the mistake in the race itself, leading to substantial damage for the team.
Throughout the weekend, Albon expressed frustration with the performance of his car, yet in Q3, he showcased his potential, briefly hinting at a position in the top two rows of the grid. Unfortunately, this was short-lived. On his final flying lap, Albon crashed at Turn 1, effectively ending his chances of competing in the race. The damage was too severe for Williams to repair in time, leaving him sidelined for the race.
The prospect of Alex Albon returning to Red Bull seems increasingly unlikely, particularly given his previous stint alongside Max Verstappen. While the Williams driver may be eager for another opportunity to race for a team with genuine race-winning potential, a return to Red Bull would be an odd fit for the 28-year-old, considering his prior experience and the team’s current dynamic. It’s clear that Albon’s future may lie elsewhere if he is to fulfill his ambition of driving for a consistently competitive team.
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