Red Bull finds Wolff’s interference in Albon “somewhat unusual”

Albon is in talks with both Williams and Alfa Romeo about a racing seat in 2022, with Red Bull looking to get the Thai driver back on the grid.

But while Williams is Albon’s preferred option, the situation at Mercedes has encountered a roadblock that fears that if Albon were to race there, information about his engines could be returned to his Red Bull bosses.

It comes with the fact that Red Bull will start its own drive project from 2022 and first use Honda engines, while it will intensify its efforts on the completely new control concept from 2026 at the latest.

Wolff said of the Dutch Grand Prix that he would only be able to accept Albon if he drives for Williams when Red Bull ends its contractual ties with the youngster.

This requirement does not go down well with Horner, who does not understand why Wolff interferes – and he is confident that Williams can decide for himself who to take.

“That’s a bit unusual,” says Horner about the prospect that a manufacturer like Mercedes can control a customer team when choosing a driver.

“Of course it has a big impact, but I’m sure Williams will select the drivers they want to drive in their car and that they have no restrictions.”

Horner said Red Bull’s primary focus was getting Albon a racing seat and he felt that it could still happen without having to be disconnected from him.

“Maybe we don’t,” he explained. “We have had very productive discussions with Williams and Alfa and I expect the situation will hopefully resolve in the next week or so.

“Of course we want to see Alex race next year. We rate him highly. I think we are about to find a solution. Hopefully Alex will be back on the grid next year and behind the scenes we’re doing everything we can to make sure that happens. “

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While Mercedes has expressed concerns that Albon will gain knowledge of its engine, Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto is aware that he would not intervene to prevent him from driving for the Alfa Romeo customer team.

“I believe that everything that happens between the team and the driver happens between the team and the driver,” he said. “We as manufacturers shouldn’t influence that.

“If a driver has the opportunity to drive and the team is happy to assign them a seat, then they should give them a seat.”