F1 news: Williams tie down Alex Albon to a new ‘multi-year’ deal

Williams have confirmed that Alex Albon will continue racing for the team for 2023 and beyond after agreeing an extension to his current deal.

After being axed from Red Bull in 2020, Albon was brought back to Formula One this season by the backmarkers and has impressed in taking the team’s only three points of the season so far.

Williams announced the deal on Twitter confirming that the Thai-British racer, who was born in London, has signed a multi-year deal.

The deal comes fewer than 24 hours after Alpine posted a message on Twitter confirming they had signed Oscar Piastri for the 2023 season, only for the Australian youngster to reveal he had not agreed any deal and would not be racing for the team.

Piastri said on Twitter: ‘I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.’

Following Piastri’s shock statement that has rocked F1’s traditional summer break, Albon used a similar template to respond to his own contract news, though this time agreeing to his new deal with the Williams team.

Using a laughing face and flexing arm emjois, Albon posted; ‘I understand that, with my agreement, Williams Racing have put out a press release this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is right and I have signed a contract with Williams for 2023. I will be driving for Williams next year. Let’s gooo.’

More to follow…