Alex Albon has signed a two-year extension with Williams to keep him at the team until the 2027 Formula One season.
The deal takes the highly-rated Albon, who’s previous deal ran until the end of 2025, off the driver market for the foreseeable future.
Albon had appeared to be in the mix for a return to Red Bull in 2026, but the new deal has ended that possibility.
Albon’s new deal is a ringing endorsement of Williams boss James Vowles, owners Dorilton Capital and the project to return the British team up the grid.
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Williams has not scored a point so far in a difficult 2024 season but Albon said the longer ambitions of the team drove his decision to sign a longer deal.
“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.”
Albon has impressed since joining Williams in 2022, following a one-year hiatus which followed his departure from Red Bull in 2020.
Vowles said he is a huge asset to the team. “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.
“We are delighted to secure Alex’s long-term future with Williams 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.”
Source: www.espn.com