Attentive Colapinto: Albon could return to Red Bull and would free up a spot at Williams
Albon could return to Red Bull
porEditorial Team
Argentina
The Austrian team's interest in bringing back the Thai driver could lead to the Argentine's return to his former team
The future of Alex Albon is once again at the center of speculation in Formula 1. The Thai driver, currently at Williams with a contract until 2027, is once again being approached by Red Bull, which parted ways with him at the end of 2020. Although the talks haven't defined concrete details, the Austrian team considers him a solid option to accompany Max Verstappen in future seasons.
In this regard, Helmut Marko, head of driver management at Red Bull, acknowledged that his departure five years ago was rushed and that he openly regrets not giving him continuity, especially now that Albon has consolidated his level and stability at Williams. Meanwhile, the support of shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, a relative of his mother, also strengthens his ties with the Milton Keynes group, which could facilitate any negotiation.
Albon podría volver a ser compañero de Verstappen en Red Bull
This situation opens a new debate: if Albon decides to accept Red Bull's offer, Williams would have to quickly define a replacement, and Franco Colapinto could be part of the move. Loaned to Alpine for five years at the start of the current season, the Argentine could have a recall clause that would allow his return to Grove.
Meanwhile, James Vowles, Williams's team principal, has always been in favor of Colapinto gaining experience in competition, and his possible return responds both to the opening of a seat and to the investment made in his development: hundreds of hours in the simulator, tests in F3 and F2, and his first trials in Formula 1.
Vowles podría repatriar a Colapinto para reemplazar a Albon
With Red Bull's scenario shifting and Williams looking to secure its drivers, the possibility of the Argentine returning to the English team is shaping up as a more than viable option.
Colapinto's numbers at Williams
Signed by the British team's academy in January 2023, Colapinto officially debuted in 2024 at Monza and completed eight Grands Prix that year, showing his potential and establishing himself as a bet for the future. In his brief experience with Williams, the native of Pilar scored 5 points, 4 in Baku, his second race, and 1 in Austin, his fourth.
