Alex Albon is poised to make a comeback to Red Bull as the teammate of Max Verstappen, as Sergio Perez’s time with the team draws to a close.
Red Bull has reportedly made an offer to Alex Albon, giving him the chance to be their top choice as rumors swirl about his future in Formula 1.
The reigning champions are aiming to secure a priority option on the 27-year-old’s services, allowing them to bring him back for a three-year period starting in 2026, according to Motorsport.
If Albon agrees, it would mark a significant turnaround for him, as he would return to Red Bull six years after being demoted due to perceived underperformance alongside Max Verstappen during an 18-month stint.
This opportunity represents a remarkable change of fortune for Albon, who would also reclaim the position he lost to Sergio Perez, who was chosen as his replacement for the 2021 season.
After impressive performances with Williams in 2022 and 2023, Albon’s stock has risen to unprecedented levels.
Speculation about his future intensified following Lewis Hamilton’s surprising move to Ferrari for 2025, with Albon emerging as a potential candidate to succeed the seven-time world champion at Mercedes.
There has also been speculation about a potential return to Red Bull, with some reports even suggesting a multi-year contract offer starting from 2025.
However, these reports are said to be inaccurate and have been dismissed by Williams team principal James Vowles as mere speculation.
Adrian Newey to leave #RedBull if Christian Horner gets sacked https://t.co/EQYo6HsqWT
During Williams’ car launch for the 2024 season, Vowles revealed that Albon is still under contract with Williams until the end of the 2025 season.
The reported first option proposal from Red Bull would respect Albon’s existing contractual obligations, allowing him to fulfill his commitment with Williams before rejoining the team based in Milton Keynes.
This offer indicates Red Bull’s willingness to retain Perez, whose contract expires at the end of the year, for an additional season.
According to the Source formula1news.co.uk