Enlarge image
Most recently active in the DTM: Alexander Albon
Photo:
Eberhard Krieger / imago images / Jan Huebner
The Williams racing team is bringing Alexander Albon back into Formula 1. The 25-year-old Thai will replace the British George Russell in the coming season, who will drive alongside world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
The team announced that the Canadian Nicholas Latifi will retain the second Williams cockpit.
Albon has been sponsored by Red Bull for years.
The racing driver with British and Thai roots initially made his Formula 1 debut for the smaller Toro Rosso team in 2019, and was promoted to Red Bull Racing later that year.
He competed completely for the top team in the 2020 season and made it onto the podium twice during this time.
As a team-mate of Max Verstappen, who competes with Hamilton for the drivers' championship this season, his performance was not enough.
Albon was replaced by Sergio Pérez, but remained with the racing team as a test and replacement driver.
He is also currently competing in the DTM touring car series.
Albon was considered one of the candidates for Russell's cockpit at Williams.
However, the racing team is a Mercedes customer.
According to "Motorsport Total", Albon was released from the driver program at Red Bull in order to get the place.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had already requested this.
"You can never be sure that you will come back"
"If you've been out of Formula 1 for a year, you can never be sure that you'll come back," said Albon: "I'm very grateful for this opportunity." Meanwhile, Latifi is entering his third season as a regular driver.
The new driver duo offers a “great mix of youth and experience that not only fits the team very well, but also helps us to take the next step on our journey,” team boss Jost Capito was quoted as saying.
In the coming season, Formula 1 is due to undergo a comprehensive reform of the rules.
ngo / dpa / sid