Red Bull reserve driver Alex Albon will be back on the Formula 1 grid next season after signing with Williams.
The British outfit also confirmed that Nicholas Latifi, who has been racing with the team since the start of 2020, will be retained for 2022.
Speaking to Williams’ website, Albon said: “I am really excited and looking forward to returning to a Formula One race seat in 2022.
“When you take a year out of F1 it’s never certain you will make a return so I’m extremely thankful to Red Bull and Williams for believing in me and helping me on my journey back to the grid.
“It’s also been great to see all the progress Williams have been making as a team this year and I look forward to helping them continue that journey in 2022.”
Albon, 25, first raced in F1 with Toro Rosso in 2019.
Part of the Red Bull development programme, he was promoted to the senior team in place of Pierre Gasly midway through that season.
A solid start saw him retained by Red Bull for the 2020 season. Despite scoring two podiums in Mugello and Bahrain, however, Albon struggled in 2020, leading him to be replaced by Sergio Perez for 2021.
Without a seat, he became Red Bull’s reserve and test driver while also racing in the DTM series, winning at the Nürburgring in his maiden race.
Deservedly back on the grid with Williams, the British-born Thai driver replaces good friend George Russell, whose move to Mercedes was confirmed yesterday.
Latifi, meanwhile, said: “I’m excited to be continuing with Williams for another year”.
“I’ve felt at home here since the day I arrived, and I think I’m in the right place to continue with my positive trajectory. The aim is to continue making little improvements so we can all take advantage of the opportunity we have next year.”
The 26-year-old Canadian scored his first F1 points in Hungary this season, before backing this up with a ninth-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix.
He was Albon’s teammate at DAMS in the 2018 F2 Championship, finishing ninth in the driver’s standings as Albon came third, behind Russell and Lando Norris.
Featured image by Zach Catanzareti Photo – Alex Albon, CC BY 2.0; no changes made.
