Long before Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell move to Ferrari, Red Bull has been looking for a replacement for Sergio Perez. The Mexican dug his own grave with his poor run of form in 2023. Since then, the Austrian team has been looking for a viable second driver for the team to drive alongside the reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Now, a paddock rumor suggests that Red Bull has found their replacement in Alex Albon, should he choose to accept the offer.

Currently, Albon is contracted as a Williams driver till the end of the 2025 season. After the silly season burst open, there were rumors linking him to Mercedes to occupy Hamilton’s seat. Some rumors also suggest he was being offered the Red Bull seat from the 2025 season. However, all those rumors have been quashed by these recent reports.

The latest reports suggest Red Bull is offering Albon the first option on his F1 future from 2026. The team won’t try to poach him away from Williams in 2025 and instead wait for his contract to run out.

The contract being offered by Red Bull is allegedly for a period of three years. This definitely seems like a mega contract, given he will be turning 30 in March 2026. The Austrian team will perhaps keep Perez for another year or replace him with a driver for one year before making way for Albon.

If it happens, this move would see the Anglo-Thai driver partner with a former teammate at his old team once again. Joining Red Bull is undoubtedly a mouth-watering prospect, especially given their current form. However, the contract is being offered after the new regulations, so there is still a chance that Albon might turn it down.

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With Albon showcasing his racing prowess in a Williams car, the idea is, he won’t be trashed by Verstappen again. That being said, what does Albon have to say about all these speculations?

Alex Albon eyeing wins and podiums in the near future

Albon, as they say, is peaking in F1 currently and his performances in the 2023 season with a bottom-feeder team like Williams is proof of the same. However, even if you’re the best on the grid, the car does play a decisive role. Without a car capable enough, the maximum Albon can do is secure points and perhaps a win on a rare occasion.

So now that the Williams man believes he’s at the best stage of his career, he is aiming higher and looking to win races and secure podiums regularly.

He confessed this outlook to the media recently, saying, “I feel like I’m very close to my peak. There are always improvements to be done and there are still areas to improve, but generally, with my experience now and where I am, I feel like I am deserving of a car that can score podiums and fight for wins. And that’s just being totally honest with how I see myself.”

Having said that, Albon also showcased his loyalty toward the British team and said, “More than anything, I want that team to be Williams and that’s where I put all my work and all my efforts into.”

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Despite generating a lot of interest from the grid, Albon is staying loyal and is looking to honor his contract. However, after 2025, we might see him switch teams to secure the results he wants provided Red Bull offers him that chance.