Speculation in the Italian press last week suggested that Ferrari had set its sights on luring Albon on board for after Sainz’s current contract runs out at the end of next year.
However, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has dismissed the idea of any movement for Albon, who himself made it clear in recent weeks that his own focus is on a long-term future with Williams.
Vasseur, who knows Albon well from his time at the ART squad in GP3 and Formula 2, thinks the Thai driver is settled at Williams as he played down talk of Ferrari being on the hunt for a new driver.
Speaking to Autosport's sister Italian language website Motorsport.it about the Albon speculation, Vasseur said: “I don't know where this story came from. I've run Albon in the past, and we're friends.
“If a reporter asks me if Alex is currently doing a good job, I would say yes. But that doesn't mean I'm interested in taking him.
“I think Alex also has a contract with Williams for 2024. The team is investing a lot, so there is no problem.”
Vasseur has stated since he arrived at Maranello that he wanted to better understand the team and the way it worked before he started worrying about driver contracts, especially as both Sainz and Charles Leclerc have deals that run through to the end of 2024.
“I was clear with the team at the beginning of the season, and I was also clear with the drivers, that I need to get to know the team first. And it takes months," he said.
Source: Autosport