Is Alexander Albon set to return to Red Bull? According to recent rumors, the British-Thai driver is a definite candidate for the Thai shareholder of the team – Chalerm Yoovidhya – to once again become Max Verstappen‘s teammate. If Albon indeed stands a chance of securing a seat with the Austrian team, it seems the end of Red Bull careers for Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson is imminent.
Alexander Albon already raced as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull for one and a half seasons in 2019 and 2020. The driver did not deliver the desired results at that time. Albon reached the podium only once during his time with the Austrians, at the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix. In the same period, Verstappen secured a podium finish fifteen times. Therefore, Albon had to make way for Sergio Pérez at the end of 2020 and moved to Williams himself in 2022. The British-Thai driver thrived with the backmarker team, and so far this season, he has even scored seventy of the total 101 World Championship points for the British racing team.
Red Bull is reportedly taking note of Albon’s resurgence and, according to F1-Insider, is interested in bringing the driver back into the Red Bull fold. This interest is said to be due not only to Albon’s performance but also his Thai heritage. Albon’s mother is Thai, and he races under the Thai flag in Formula 1. Motorsport Italia suggests this is why Red Bull is in talks with Albon. Chalerm Yoovidhya, a Thai shareholder of Red Bull, is even reportedly willing to pay a substantial transfer fee to Williams to bring his compatriot to the team. Albon is currently under contract with the British team until the end of 2027.
Tsunoda and Lawson
If Albon does indeed return to Red Bull, it could spell bad news for Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson. Tsunoda, the Japanese driver, has been on shaky ground for some time due to his disappointing results with the Austrian top team. Meanwhile, Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar has been making a strong impression, particularly with his unexpected podium finish in Zandvoort. If Albon does return to Red Bull, it is expected that Hadjar will definitely stay, while Lawson’s future with Racing Bulls remains uncertain.
