Alex Albon has signed a multi-year contract extension with Williams.
The British-born Thai driver had been linked with both Red Bull and Mercedes but has now agreed a deal that will keep him with Williams until at least the end of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Confirming the extension on Wednesday, Williams said Albon had signed “a multi-year contract extension which takes the partnership into the new era of Formula 1 regulations,” which will be introduced in 2026.
The 28-year-old joined Williams in 2022 after a year out of the sport, having been let go at the end of 2020 by Red Bull following a season as Max Verstappen’s team-mate.
“I am incredibly happy to be remaining with Williams Racing and to continue working with such a talented and dedicated team of people,” Albon said.
“It has been a difficult start to the year but since joining Williams we have made significant progress together and I have seen the huge changes happening behind the scenes to take us back to the front of the grid.
“This is a long-term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role in which is why I have signed a multi-year contract. The journey will take time but I am confident we are building the right team to move forward and achieve great things in the years to come.”
Despite team principal James Vowles having repeatedly dismissed speculation over Albon’s future by insisting his previous contract ran until the end of 2025, as recently as the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month, the Thai driver had refused to confirm he would be driving for Williams next season.
Williams appeared to be making progress as Albon drove impressively to finish 13th in the 2023 world championship, but the team have failed to score a point in the opening six races of the current campaign.
“We are delighted to secure Alex’s long-term future with Williams Racing,” Vowles said.
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Albon covers the track in debris to bring out the red flag in Practice One at the Australian GP
“He has exceptional talent, technical input and dedication to the cause and this is a huge vote of confidence in Williams and the journey back to competitiveness that we are on.
“Since joining, Alex has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, and signing him for the long-term is a big piece of the puzzle of moving us up the grid.”
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Emilia Romagna GP schedule
Thursday May 16
1.30pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday May 17
8:50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2:55pm: F2 Qualifying
3:45pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5:30pm: The F1 Show
Saturday May 18
9am: F3 Sprint
11:15am: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.10pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
5.30pm: Indy 500 Qualifying
Sunday May 19
7.30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
8pm: Indy 500 Qualifying
Formula 1 heads to Europe as Imola returns to the calendar following last year’s cancelled race. Watch the Emilia Romagna GP on May 17-19. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
