Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing on the drivers’ parade. 09.07.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Race Day.
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has denied speculation that the side is lining up Williams driver Alex Albon for a race seat in 2025.
Albon has established himself as one of the standout drivers this season, having been responsible for accumulating all of Williams’ 11 points at this stage.
Meanwhile, speculation has been rife surrounding the long-term futures of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, with both drivers’ deals expiring at the end of 2024.
Subsequently, Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport reported previously that Ferrari was targeting Albon as a potential replacement in case either Leclerc or Sainz depart.
While Vasseur has heaped praise on the Thai driver for his performances this year, the French chief has ruled out the prospect of Albon making the switch to Ferrari.
“I don’t know where this story came from. I’ve run Albon in the past, and we’re friends,” Vasseur told Motorsport.com’s Italian site.
“If a reporter asks me if Alex is currently doing a good job, I would say yes. But that doesn’t mean I’m interested in taking him.
“I think Alex also has a contract with Williams for 2024. The team is investing a lot, so there is no problem.”
Vasseur, who replaced Mattia Binotto over the winter, says he was instantly transparent with the pair that he wanted to get to know the entire team before taking any decisions.
Among that includes driver contracts, with Vasseur underlining that the nature of Leclerc and Sainz’s current terms means it is not an urgent matter that needs discussing.
“I was clear with the team at the beginning of the season, and I was also clear with the drivers, that I need to get to know the team first. And it takes months,” he explained.
“They still have a one-year contract, so I don’t think it’s an issue that needs to be discussed now. We’ll certainly talk about it in the future, but it’s not the first concern.
“The priority, for everyone, is to focus on the team, especially this season. I don’t want there to be any distracting elements.”
(L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari with Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari. 06.07.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Preparation Day.
After returning to race-winning ways upon the reset to the regulations last year, Ferrari has slumped to fourth in the standings this term and has only scored two podiums.
Both have come from Charles Leclerc, who also notched the only non-Red Bull pole position of the year in Azerbaijan.
Vassuer believes that run in Baku, where Leclerc eventually finished third, showcases the upside to the Monegasque racer’s aggressive approach, but warns it can also occasionally lead to him stepping over the mark and making critical errors such as his qualifying crash in Miami.
“Leclerc is capable of exceptional things,” the ex-Alfa Romeo team boss said. “Sometimes he does things that you don’t know where he got them from.
“Charles is a driver who always thinks about winning. Our car is behind the Red Bull, but he is still there thinking about trying to win.
“In certain situations, we have seen him push too much, and go into over-driving. He tries to compensate for the shortcomings with strategy, with being aggressive, and with the risk of making mistakes.
“My job is to direct him in the right way. When we have a car that is capable of taking second place, we have to take pride of place there. Of course, it’s also right to look at what happens in front.”
Meanwhile, Vasseur has also lauded Sainz, having admitted ahead of the campaign that he was a driver he previously tried to sign.
The 55-year-old believes that while he might not have the raw edge compared to Leclerc in qualifying, Sainz’s consistency sees him avoid such high-profile mistakes.
“Carlos is very consistent,” he added. “He is able to manage his own pace and does it a little better than Charles.
“He doesn’t overdrive, but he doesn’t have the big peaks of Charles, when, for example, he takes pole positions.
“Sometimes he is very close to him. In Miami, up to the last corner, he was on pole. He limits the bad mistakes and he’s always there.”
Keyword: Vasseur denies Ferrari interest in signing Albon for 2025