Anglo-Thai driver Alex Albon, who was booked in 2021 with Red Bull, will return to Formula 1 with the help of the British team Williams, who hire him to replace the British George Russell, the team itself has reported.
This campaign, Albon, born in London in 1996, did not take place on the grid, but the recent departure of George Russell to Mercedes has led to his return to cars.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to returning to a Formula 1 racing seat in 2022. When you get a year out of F1, you’re never sure you’ll come back, so I’m very grateful to Red Bull and Williams for believing in me. “Albon said.
The 25-year-old driver began his journey in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2019. A year later he made the big leap to the main team, the Austrian Red Bull, and shared a team with him. of Max Verstappen during a season in which he did not convince Christian Horner, Red Bull team leader.
Despite this, Horner is pleased with Albon’s agreement with Williams: “Our goal was to help him find a seat on another team where he could gain more experience in F1 and we are delighted to have done so with Williams “.
For his part, Williams CEO Jost Capito said: “Alex is one of the most exciting young talents in motorsport, but he comes with a lot of F1 experience from his time at Red Bull. podiums highlight his speed as a driver, and we know he will immediately feel at home. “
Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi will be Albon’s teammate next season. Williams thus renews the pilot who has been with them for two seasons, since the departure of Polish driver Robert Kubica in 2019.