Williams officially announced that Alex Albon has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the team for several years. At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Williams’ Chief Strategist, James Vowles, revealed that the fate of American driver Logan Sargeant is still undecided. Vowles mentioned that they are currently considering three options for the 2025/2026 season and will provide more details soon. He emphasized the importance of performing at the highest level and acknowledged that Sargeant has control over his own performance. However, Vowles also stated that they are actively exploring other potential drivers.
Sargeant’s performance has been lacking compared to his more experienced teammate, Albon. With several drivers available for new contracts, Williams is considering alternatives. One option could be former Williams driver Valtteri Bottas, who currently races for the Sauber team and will join Audi in 2026. Another candidate is Kimi Antonelli, an Italian protege of Mercedes, who is being considered both by Williams and as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon is also a contender, as he has connections with Mercedes and is currently without a contract. Vowles, who previously worked for Mercedes, maintains a close connection with team principal Toto Wolff.
In addition to the pilots’ considerations, Williams is also seeking the services of renowned engineer Adrian Newey. Newey, who achieved great success with Williams in the 1990s, recently left Red Bull and is being courted by several teams, including Ferrari and Aston Martin. Vowles expressed his admiration for Newey and his desire to bring him back to Williams. He mentioned that discussions with Newey had been interrupted, but will now be resumed. Vowles acknowledged that there is no rush to finalize any agreements and emphasized the need for open and transparent communication.
Overall, Williams is actively working on their future plans, both in terms of pilots and technical staff. They are determined to return to their former glory and are exploring various options to ensure their success.
