Albon explains: 'That's why I didn't want to wait for Red Bull Racing'

Even though Albon also heard the stories about a return to Red Bull, he decided to stay at Williams anyway. A choice made with conviction, Albon stated in Imola: "It's all about the journey. I think to look elsewhere and to see the ifs, buts and maybes, there's a lot of moving parts especially around the seats right now. Well there's only really one at Mercedes. A lot has to happen, and there's a lot of different [outcomes]."

Albon also spoke to other teams

Albon says he was never seriously approached to come to Red Bull. "Of course I kept my options open and talk to other teams. Obviously the triggers were super early this year. I'd say to sign a contract now in May is still very early but the focus was purely to just get on with it. We have a big journey ahead of us, we're not hiding. It's nice to be able to go into the rest of this year now really just thinking about okay where are the areas in the team that we really need to change and move and develop."

Williams are yet to make an overwhelming impression this season. Perhaps in a way, Albon's contract extension will give peace of mind within the team. "But now there is stability and there is a focus to really building that team. James [Vowles] said it before but he's very focused on me being a part of that journey and that project. I believe my role here with the team is not just being a racing driver it's much more than that."