Ferrari has dismissed speculation about Alex Albon replacing Carlos Sainz in 2025, stating that driver contracts are not currently a priority. Recent reports in the Italian press suggested that Ferrari was considering bringing Albon on board once Sainz’s contract expires at the end of next year.
Vasseur said:
“Speaking to Autosport’s sister Italian language website Motorsport.it about the Albon speculation. I don’t know where this story came from. I’ve run Albon in the past, and we’re friends.
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.”
However, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has refuted these claims, highlighting that Alex Albon himself has expressed his commitment to a long-term future with Williams. Vasseur, who has a history with Albon from their time together at the ART squad in GP3 and Formula 2, believes that the Thai driver is content at Williams, downplaying the notion of Ferrari actively seeking a new driver.
Vasseur explained
“Leclerc is capable of exceptional things. 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.”
Vasseur has emphasized that his immediate focus upon joining Ferrari was to gain a deeper understanding of the team and its operations before delving into driver contracts. Additionally, both Sainz and Charles Leclerc have agreements in place that extend until the end of 2024.
Vasseur added
“Carlos is very consistent. 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.”
When asked about Sainz’s performances, Vasseur praised the Spaniard’s consistency and ability to manage his pace, noting that he does so slightly better than Leclerc.
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