Mercedes responds to claim it could block Albon-Williams F1 move

Red Bull boss Horner said on Friday afternoon at the Dutch Grand Prix that Albon’s full-time return to the F1 grid could be resolved as soon within the next week, revealing that the Anglo-Thai racer’s “preference” is to join Williams amid interest from the British squad and Alfa Romeo.

But Horner later suggested that Mercedes is trying to prevent Albon from moving to its customer team and claimed Albon has received multiple phone calls from the German manufacturer trying to persuade him not to join.

“I would never block someone like Alex Albon,” said Wolff in response to the notion. 

“He’s a fantastic guy, personality is great. I was personally sad to see him going. And if he has a chance in a Formula 1 car, I think that’s the right thing to do.

“But equally, maybe Nyck has. So we need to look at the open spaces at Alfa and at Williams and try to find a solution.”

Wolff also confirmed he is seeking an opportunity for Mercedes junior and recently-crowned Formula E world champion, Nyck de Vries, to join the F1 grid, adding he currently has a “50/50” chance of getting a drive.

“I think it’s the ordinary course of business,” Wolff said. “Williams has a Mercedes engine, that is clear, and we have Nyck de Vries, a Dutch driver that deserves to be in Formula 1 equally.

“With Nyck I am in two minds. He won us the Formula E world championship most recently. I guess this is two interest groups that just have to find a solution.

“The great thing is that he has two options. He has the guaranteed seat in Formula E, which is a really tough championship, and on the other side the maybe 50/50 chance to be in a Formula 1 car.”