Last week it was announced that Albon has sealed a return to the F1 grid next sea🏅son with Williams, where he will partner his former DAMS Formula 2 teammate Nicholas Latifi having replaced the Mercedes-bound George Russell.

The Anglo-Thai made his grand prix debut with Red Bull’s sister team Toro Rosso in 2019 but was promoted afte✃r just 12 racesಞ in a seat swap with Pierre Gasly.

Following a difficult season-and-a-half as Max Verstappen’s t𝔍eammate, Albon was replaced at the end of 2020 by Sergio Perez.

Since losing🌃 his Red Bull seat, Albon has spent this season dovetailing a reserve driver role at the Milton Keynes squad alongside racing in the DTM.

However, Ru𝓰ssell’s promotion to Mercedes and Kimi Raikkonen’s retirement from F1 opened the door for Albon to return to the grid on a full-time basis.

Both Williams and Alfa Romeo expressed interest but A𒈔lbon’s preference was always to join the nine-times constructors’ champions.

“I think Williams, they’re clearly a team on th🌼e way up,” Albon said.

“They’re both great teams, but looking at Wil♊liams, obviously the first thing is they look like they’re on the up, they’ve got the investment coming in. But I’ve also had the chanc♎e to visit the team and everyone seems very positive and optimistic. 

“They’re very keen to talk💛 to me and to get involved in making this happen. It seemed like a great choice to get back onto the grid.”

Williams team boss Jost Capito confirmed he discussedဣ Albon with the outgoing Russell, who is a close friend of Albon.

"I built a very closౠe relationship with George through this season and of course he told me what he thinks of Alex and that they are personal friends as well," Capito said.

"It is very much appreciated what George thinks about Alex but I꧋ also had to be very rational about it. I wouldn't say it influenced, but it confirmed my♑ decision.”

Albon admitted Russell was almost “too supportive” of him in his bid to secure a ꦑreturn to F1 with the Grove-based outfit.

“He 🦩was very supportive,” Albon explained. “Obviously George is a close friend of mine, but I would almost say too supportive.

“I remember t🐠he [Williams] board guys saying ‘We can’t really take George’s opinion because he is so supportive of you’. They were very friendly about that. 

“But I owe him a couple of beers. Hopefully, we can grab dinner and ꩲcelebrate our moves together.”

Red Bull revealed after the Williams announcement that it had released Albon for butꦍ has retained a relationship that includes “future o⛦ptions”.

Capito stressed that Albon is completely free of his Red Bull ties an🧸d described his new signing as being “100% a Williams driver”.

However, the deal leaves the door open for Red Bull to potentially bring Al💟bon back to the team if he impresses at Williams.

While Albon admits it would be “silly not to think” about a Red Bull return in the future, he insists he is not dwelling on “long-term” possibili🔯ties🔜.

“A team like Red Bull is a team I’d consider coming back with,” he said. “At the moment though I’m not really thinking so🌠 long-term like tha🌼t.

“It really feels like I’ꦛve♕ got to focus right now this year on my main priority, which is obviously getting us to win the championship.

“And then co🧸ming up next year, it will be solely on Will💮iams and developing the car and making sure we have a good year and keep growing through that side.”