At Red Bull, Alex Albon never really got going alongside Max Verstappen, but the Thai has been shining at Williams since 2022 and is a guarantee of points and therefore millions for the traditional team. An ex-team boss is already calling for a second chance for Albon at Red Bull.
“I have a really soft side for Albon,” said long-time F1 team boss Eddie Jordan on the “Formula for Success” podcast. Under the right circumstances, the Thai can “really, really” provide the necessary sharpness.
“I would like to see him get the chance alongside Max Verstappen at some point because I think he would be a big surprise,” said Jordan.
Albon began his Formula 1 career in the Red Bull family in 2019 with the then Toro Rosso team. After a strong debut season, he was promoted to the Red Bull senior team after the 2020 summer break, where he replaced Pierre Gasly, who was only appointed at the beginning of the year. The Frenchman had to make the bitter journey back to the junior team.
Albon initially cut a good figure next to Verstappen, but in his first full season in 2020 he was unable to meet the expectations of Red Bull bosses Helmut Marko and Christian Horner. For the 2021 season, Red Bull brought in the established Sergio Perez from Racing Point. A break with the bulls’ philosophy, according to which young people from their own stable should drive for the team.
For Albon, the blow to the neck didn’t mean the end of Formula 1. The Brit came to Williams in 2022 after a year as a Red Bull replacement, where he has been absolutely convincing ever since. Last year he collected 27 points in the inferior Williams and achieved a remarkable 13th place in the Drivers’ World Championship. In addition, Albon Williams (28 points) almost single-handedly secured seventh place in the constructors’ championship.
Formula 1: Marko regrets Albon’s departure from Red Bull
Red Bull now also regrets not having retained Albon contractually after his departure. A return campaign is now “more difficult” because the 27-year-old “unfortunately is under contract with Williams until 2025,” said Marko in an interview with last summer sport.de.
Asked whether he would bring the British-Thai pilot back, Marko replied: “Yes, he has recovered. That was necessary.”
This would be possible for the 2025 season. Albon’s contract with Williams expires at the end of the season, at the same time Sergio Perez is most likely entering his last season with Red Bull. According to many experts, the Mexican is only driving on probation in the upcoming season.
Daniel Ricciardo in particular is looking at the cockpit next to Max Verstappen. If the Australian doesn’t convince in 2024 and Albon continues to drive so well, he would certainly be an alternative.