Red Bull keeps an option on Albon for 2023
Alex Albon could come back to Red Bull in the future. The Austrian team retains an option on his services for 2023. Horner is satisfied with the work done in the simulator by his replacement driver.
In 2022, Alex Albon will join Williams after several years spent on the Red Bull side. This decision comes from a mutual agreement between the team and the driver himself. Both wanted to see Albon drive an F1 car next year. Since Red Bull and AlphaTauri did not want to change their drivers, the Thai driver turned to Williams.
But there is a catch. The Williams engine is supplied by Mercedes, one of Red Bull’s direct competitors. After the official announcement of the transfer, the Austrian team announced that it would maintain a relationship with the driver including future options. Wanting to clarify things, Christian Horner, the team principal, stated to F1.com that an option in the contract allows to bring back Albon in 2023.
« This means that we have a good relationship with Alex and he maintains a connection with Red Bull. We would have an option on his services if they were required in 2023. He was already out of contract at the end of next year, so what we did was to speed up the process and secure future options on him.
Even though the driver has not raced this season, Albon has still been important for his team’s progress. He has spent long days in the simulator to help develop this year’s car, as well as next year’s.
« He did an excellent job behind the scenes. He was very involved in next year’s car. He signed the agreement with Williams, then went back directly to the simulator late in the evening for hours. We will work hard by the end of the year. The number of hours he spent in the simulation is insane. »
Horner is happy with the work done by his replacement driver. A role that is not necessarily easy to carry. It’s difficult for a driver not to drive an F1 and see his team succeed. In Albon’s case, the driver was ousted from his seat after a disappointing season. But the Thai driver managed to remain professional to the end.
« What impressed me was the way he took on this role, from the moment he was informed after Abu Dhabi last year. That’s one of the reasons why we were keen to help him secure a seat in F1. »
