The Formula 1 merry-go-round of drivers isn’t over yet despite the season finishing more than a week ago.
Red Bull headed into the winter break knowing they needed to decide whether to continue with Sergio Perez into 2025 or not.
Ultimately, Red Bull let Perez go, with RB driver Liam Lawson expected to be named as Perez’s replacement.
It’s a decision that came as a result of the 34-year-old’s poor performance across the season.
Red Bull missed out on the Constructors’ Championship as a result of Perez finishing more than 250 points behind teammate Max Verstappen.
Although Lawson – or RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda – were the obvious options to replace Perez, there were other drivers on the grid who could have stepped into the role too.
Carlos Sainz was linked with Red Bull before deciding to drive for Williams for the 2025 season.
However, Ted Kravitz was speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast about believes that another driver is still linked to Red Bull through his contract elsewhere.
Ted Kravitz believes Alex Albon has Red Bull ‘get-out’ clause in Williams contract
Talking about the Red Bull driver situation and where Alex Albon fits into the equation, Kravitz said: “Yeah, he’s very close with Chalerm Yoovidhya, who’s the 51 per cent owner of Red Bull.
“Some of Alex’s personal sponsors are some of the Yoovidhya brands, Monsoon Wine, whose part of the Red Bull group, and so there is a link there.
“And as I understand it, there is a get-out clause in Albon’s Williams contract that basically allows him to leave if Red Bull come knocking again.”
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Red Bull are already well aware of Albon’s abilities after his time in their academy and racing for both of their teams in Formula 1.
He spent just 12 races with Toro Rosso after being promoted from Formula 2 before stepping up into Pierre Gasly’s Red Bull seat.
However, the season-and-a-half that followed didn’t go to plan.
Alex Albon would be more prepared for Red Bull seat now than in 2019
Red Bull have gone through a relative period of stability over the past four seasons.
Perez and Verstappen have achieved a lot together, albeit the Dutchman’s contribution far outweighs his more experienced teammate.
That wasn’t always the case though with Red Bull testing several of their academy prospects in the senior team relatively early in their career.
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While Sainz never earned that call-up, Gasly, Albon and Daniil Kvyat were among those who drove for Red Bull after spells with Toro Rosso.
Albon admitted he wasn’t prepared to face Verstappen and after 26 of his 106 career Grand Prix, he was demoted to the role of test driver for 2021.
He’s a much more experienced driver now though and has led Williams brilliantly over the past three years.
Albon faces a much tougher task in 2025 when Sainz arrives and it’ll be a fascinating battle of the midfield to see who comes out on top.
If the Thai driver impresses and Lawson – or whoever Red Bull promote – fails to live up to expectations, Albon may end up being an option to parachute into the team.
