Albon has done “exceptional job” as Williams F1 replacement

Russell left Williams after a three-season stint at the end of last year to join Mercedes, whose junior programme he had been a member of since 2017.

During his final months with Williams, Russell was known to have lobbied with the team for Albon to take his seat after the Anglo-Thai driver dropped off the F1 grid at the end of 2020 following a difficult season with Red Bull.

Since returning to full-time F1 action this year, Albon has impressed by scoring three points for…