Purple Bull has reportedly approached Alex Albon with a “first possibility” contract, that means the Milton Keynes-based outfit might declare the Williams driver’s companies for 2026 earlier than anybody else.
Whereas such an alleged provide – revealed by Motorsport.com – would safe Albon’s future and doubtlessly a profitable return to the championship profitable crew, it comes with a major trade-off.
Albon would give up management of his profession to Purple Bull after 2025, limiting his choices on the open market if the latter finally declines to take him again.
Williams crew boss James Vowles just lately confirmed that Albon is contracted to the crew till the top of 2025, and he would contemplate an early launch provided that such a transfer can be within the crew’s greatest curiosity.
“Ought to any choice go that approach, it is as a result of I am very clear in my thoughts that I’ve made choices which are appropriate for the crew’s long-term objectives and never the brief time period,” Vowles mentioned, quoted by Motorsport.com.
Albon on the opposite was extra evasive when queried on the sale subject: “Let’s examine. Time will inform. However my focus is on 2024, let’s maintain it like that.
“The actual focus is on ensuring that we make progress for 2025. Yeah, that is actually the place I am at.
“Realistically I wish to be with the crew. If the crew are the place I need them to be, it is going to be a long run long-term contract. We’re gonna go all the best way or nothing.”
Following two stable seasons with Williams, in 2022 and 2023, Albon’s inventory has repeatedly trended larger on the drivers’ market.
However on the again of final week’s bombshell information about Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari on the finish of 2024, the Anglo-Thai racer has been linked to each Mercedes and Purple Bull.
Requested earlier this week at Williams’ crew launch in New York about his future, Albon mentioned that his focus was on driving, however acknowledged that his administration had engaged in “basic chats”.
“I’d be denying it if I mentioned that there [haven’t] been questions and basic chats surrounding round that, however honestly it is not likely personally my space, that is extra my administration,” he conceded.
“My focus is on driving. The place I stand is, I am very excited to see how this FW46 develops, I wish to see how the automobile feels in Bahrain and the next 4, 5, six races and actually get a really feel for the development that I hope we have made as a crew.
“My entire focus is on Williams and that is the place I see myself. The speed of development to me can be crucial, so time will inform.”
Albon felt that his private improvement coupled along with his degree of expertise justified him being entrusted with a automobile able to preventing on the entrance of the sphere.
“I really feel like I am very near my peak,” he added. “There are at all times enhancements to be performed and there are nonetheless areas to enhance, however typically, with my expertise now and the place I’m, I really feel like I’m deserving of a automobile that may rating podiums and struggle for wins. And that is simply being completely trustworthy with how I see myself.
“Greater than something, I need that crew to be Williams and that is the place I put all my work and all my efforts into.
“It’s extremely clear to me, particularly whenever you see the driving force market, there’s an enormous curiosity in groups wanting the identical driver for ’25 and ’26. That is the way it appears to be like prefer it’s enjoying out. And let’s examine about that.”
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