Toto Wolff says he now has no concerns about Alex Albon joining Mercedes-powered Williams in Formula 1 next year, given the deal will prevent any confidential information about its power unit making its way back to Red Bull.
Wolff said at Zandvoort last week that he had no problem with Albon joining Williams “as long as they let him free from his Red Bull contract”.
But despite Red Bull confirming after Albon’s move was announced on Wednesday that it retained links to him and held options on his services for the future, Wolff is satisfied that the deal means Albon is solely a Williams driver for 2022.
“Absolutely,” said Wolff when asked if the deal contains the confidentiality mechanism that he requires given Albon’s ongoing Red Bull links.
“And he’s basically a Williams driver for the next 12 months, he has no Red Bull links for that time.”
Red Bull had hinted at Mercedes attempting to block Albon’s move to Williams and lobbying for its Formula E world champion, Nyck de Vries, to land the drive.
But Wolff is adamant that Williams had every right to make its own driver choice and that he had no intention in interfering with the deal.
“No, we always respect the authority of a team choosing its drivers,” said Wolff. “I was at Williams and I would have not wanted anybody to interfere in our driver decision.
“And in the same way, we have no contractual rights that we could have or would have utilised because I don’t think it’s right to meddle with the team’s decision on drivers, full stop.
“What was important for us is that if a driver from another power unit manufacturer joins the team that there is very strict and clear IP confidentiality clauses.
“That was always in great harmony with Williams. They know exactly where we are coming from and what is important to protect.
“To be honest I absolutely support, even though it’s none of my business, Alex Albon. He deserves to be in F1, he’s a great guy and I’m happy for him that he’s in the car.”
Williams CEO Jost Capito says that any concerns from Mercedes about confidentiality were easily tackled.
He stressed that Albon is entirely free of Red Bull ties for 2022 and will be a Williams driver for the season.
“Alex is 100% a Williams driver in 2022, that solves a lot of concerns,” said Capito when asked about Wolff’s concerns about Albon’s Red Bull links.
“We have to be open so drivers can take opportunity that arrive and that the teams can decide on the drivers they believe are the best for them.
“I think there needs to be a bit more openness and freedom. If a driver gets released from one team, it’s accepted he can go to another team.
“And I think Toto knows that if he [Albon] is released from his Red Bull contract, he’s not a Red Bull driver then and he’s 100% a Williams driver.”
