Alex Albon’s clause that would open the doors of Red Bull after the departure of Checo Pérez

Every hour, every minute, every second there seems to be a novelty or variable that allows us to speculate with Franco Colapinto’s future in Formula 1. This Wednesday, when the Mexican’s departure Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez of Red Bull was still fresh, information from Great Britain could clarify the situation for the Argentine pilot. What if Colapinto stays at Williams to be a teammate of the brand new reinforcement Carlos Sainz and not just as a reserve in 2025?

The key to this new possibility would be Alex Albonuntil 10 days ago Colapinto’s partner in the British team. According to the chain, Sky Sportsthe Thai has a clause in his contract that would allow him to terminate in the event of a call from Red Bull. For the Austrian team it would be an alternative greater experience than young Liam Lawsonthe ‘natural’ replacement for the Mexican.

The young New Zealander who already had two stages in the B team, one of five races in 2023 when Daniel Ricciardo injured his hand and another of six grand prix this year when the Australian finally left the team, would finally be promoted to A.

The departure of Pérez was the piece that Franco Colapinto needed to maintain his hopes of continuing in Formula 1, but the alternative that emerged in the last few hours does not focus him only on the gap in Red Bull, which would generate a domino effect.

With 18 drivers confirmed for next season – including Carlos Sainz and Albon himself in Williams, which left the native of Pilar with a reserve role in the British team that put him in Logan Sargeant’s place in the last 9 races of the season -, the free seats are held by Red Bull and Racing Bulls, two teams that have different bases – the first in Milton Keynes and the other in Faenza – but are managed by the same interests.

Lawson, who will turn 23 in February, is a product of the Red Bull Academy he runs Helmut Marko. In Racing Bulls, the only one with a contract is the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda. Although many – including Colapinto – want that place, that seat would have an owner: Isack Hadjarrunner-up in Formula 2.

“As I understand it, there is a termination clause in Albon’s contract with Williams -which was signed last May- which basically allows him to leave if Red Bull knocks on his door again.”he stated Ted Kravitzthe journalist who visits the pits – like the Argentine Juan Fossaroli for ESPN – for the Sky Sports network.

Albon was a member of the Red Bull group from 2012 to 2021 before moving to Williams in 2022, but a return to Milton Keynes does not seem out of the question. Even in his first season with the British team, the Thai drove with the Red Bull logo on his helmet, but in his second year it seemed that his connection with the energy drink was over.

“Albon is much older and wiser and knows how to handle Max and the whole situation and I don’t know why they haven’t done it.”Kravitz completed in the Formula 1 podcast on the English television network.

The Thai made it clear at the time that he intends to stay with Williams. “This is a long-term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role, which is why I have signed a multi-year contract”said the 28-year-old pilot.