It is undoubtedly the name which was the least awaited on the side of Williams. A few hours after the formalization of the departure of George Russell, called to replace Valtteri Bottas alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, The Grove team have ended the suspense over their driving duo for the 2022 season. While it is hardly surprising to see Nicholas Latifi keep his seat, his family being one of the backers of the British team, his new teammate will be a comeback in Formula 1.

Discarded by Red Bull Racing to give up his seat to Sergio Pérez, reserve driver for the Milton Keynes team in parallel with a program in the DTM championship this season, Alex Albon will find a starting position within the Williams team. « It’s fantastic to be able to confirm our driver duo for 2022 and I am delighted to welcome Alex Albon to our team, while confirming the extension of our collaboration with Nicholas Latifi for next season Grove team boss Jost Capito said in a statement.

Albon was not sure he could return

While the name of Nyck de Vries, the first Formula E world champion and driver linked to Mercedes just like George Russell was, most often returned around the Williams team, it is finally a driver identified as belonging to the Red Bull sector who will take over from the Briton. « I am happy and looking forward to returning to a Formula 1 seat in 2022, said the Thai pilot in a statement. When you leave the discipline for a season, it is never certain that you will be able to come back so I am very grateful to Red Bull and Williams for their faith in me and their support in my return to the starting grid.. I can also appreciate the progress Williams has made this season and look forward to helping them on that path in 2022. »

After a debut under the colors of Toro Rosso then a stint during the 2019 season at Red Bull Racing, Alex Albon will discover a new team next season and hope to experience the same success as Esteban Ocon who, after being on the sidelines in 2019, rebounded at Alpine.