Alex Albon is a driver whose value sky-rocketed as the 2023 season progressed. Moving forward, this could pay dividends. If there is any time to establish yourself as a valuable asset, the next twelve months could be the perfect moment.
Few could have foreseen Albon’s ascent when he agreed to join Williams two years ago. The British outfit was still firmly a backmarker team, struggling to score points amidst years of financial struggles.
The Thai driver’s first season at the team in 2022 was a relative success, with the 27-year-old securing occasional points finishes. Relative to teammate Nicholas Latifi, his performances were consistently one step ahead.
Last season, however, James Vowles’ team made an objective step forward. This propelled the Grove-based team to 7th in the standings, thanks largely to Albon’s contributions.
Although Logan Sargeant is a difficult driver to quantify, the three-time podium finisher still deserves credit for comprehensively dispatching the American driver.
His 22-0 record in qualifying is a widely cited statistic of particular significance, given that Verstappen did the same thing to Albon when they were teammates at Red Bull.
Albon’s 2024 options
Now, the question is whether Albon will be a factor in the 2024 “silly season” market. Currently, the consensus is almost unanimously yes.
The next logical step, therefore, is to assess his options. Among the top teams, there are few available slots. McLaren and Mercedes, for example, have both drivers locked in on significant contracts.
Red Bull, meanwhile, is an unlikely destination for various reasons. Both parties would almost certainly object to a reunion.
Of the front-runners, Ferrari is the team most commonly associated as an option for Albon. Considering the current delays in extending Carlos Sainz’s contract, these whispers have only gathered momentum.
However, the Spanish driver is still likely to remain with the Italian outfit. Although the terms of the new contract will require compromise, the two-time race winner is far from a foregone conclusion.
As a result, Albon’s best options will – inevitably – be dictated by the competitiveness of rivals.
Provided Williams can remain a point-scoring team, he can continue to establish himself as a driver of value. Depending on which teams progress or stumble, this could provide certain opportunities.
For now, though, waiting for the cards to fall whilst continuing to secure strong results is critical.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang