Formula 1 journalist Lawrence Barretto understands that both Ferrari and Red Bull are “interested parties” in Alex Albon, who is currently hot property in the driver market.
Since returning to F1 with Williams in 2022, Albon has rapidly risen in value, something many never saw coming following his exit in 2020.
Albon’s F1 career looked like it could’ve been over at the end of the 2020 season, as Red Bull dropped him to their bench and signed Sergio Perez.
The Thai driver ended up racing in DTM the following season, before a move to Williams was arranged for 2022 after George Russell moved to Mercedes.
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Since moving to Williams, Albon has improved dramatically as an F1 driver, to the extent that the biggest teams in the sport are now after him.
He’s become Williams’ leader and has been able to score consistent points in one of the weakest packages, a feat only the best drivers on the grid are capable of.
Albon is contracted until the end of 2024, meaning he could move on for 2025.
Williams have got a huge fight on their hands to retain him, as Audi are also reportedly interested in the 27-year-old for when they join the sport in 2026.
Ferrari is an interesting option, as Carlos Sainz’s deal expires at the conclusion of this year, whilst Charles Leclerc has a deal until the end of 2028.
Seeing Albon in red is a bizarre thought but equally intriguing, as he would give Leclerc a strong challenge.
Being back alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull might not be the best thing for him, given how no teammate has ever consistently matched him.
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Regardless of where he goes, Albon is arguably the most-wanted driver on the grid, highlighting just how much his career has changed since being demoted by Red Bull.
“Ferrari are understood to be one of the interested parties, while my sources say Red Bull engineers rate him highly,” Barretto wrote on the official F1 website.
“It’s quite the turnaround for the Thai driver, who had to fight to get back on the grid after being dropped by Red Bull in 2020.”