F1 Fast Five: Red Bull eyes first refusal on Albon's future, Horner's future in the spotlight as hearing begins, and other big updates

Red Bull eyes first refusal on Albon's future

Red Bull reportedly seeks a first-refusal option on their former driver, Alex Albon, who gained attention after his stint at Red Bull in 2021. Albon's current team principal at Williams confirmed his contract until 2025, but Red Bull seems interested in future possibilities. This 'first option' would allow Red Bull to prioritize signing Albon should he become available. While Albon expresses a focus on Williams, discussions persist about a potential return to Red Bull, although his current team aims to retain him in the long term.

Click here to read the full article by Sam Cooper (planetf1.com)

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Horner's future in the spotlight as hearing begins

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner's hearing regarding allegations of inappropriate behavior commenced in London. Horner has vehemently denied claims of controlling behavior and inappropriate text messages made against him by an F1 team employee. The investigation, initiated by Red Bull, is taken "extremely seriously" by the company. While a verdict is not expected immediately, it's anticipated to be reached next week, posing a significant threat to Horner's long standing role within the team.

Click here to read the full article by Nate Saunders (espn.com)

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Visa Cash App RB clarifies origins of controversial name

Visa Cash App RB CEO Peter Bayer addressed criticism over the team's long 2024 F1 name, clarifying its connection to Red Bull's heritage. Despite fan concerns, Bayer explained the 'RB' refers to 'Red Bull' and emphasized the prestigious nature of the team's sponsors, Visa and Cash App. He noted that other F1 teams, like Aston Martin, aren't commonly referred to by their full sponsor-inclusive names, suggesting a focus on performance rather than semantics.

Click here to read the full article by Connor McDonagh (crash.net)

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Williams 2024 target

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Williams kicked off the 2024 season with a remarkable start, debuting the FW46 and unveiling their fresh, all-white driver suits. The team is undoubtedly in an evolution phase, aiming to capitalize on their previous season's progress. However, much of the focus this season will revolve around the potential of their two drivers, Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon.

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Visa F1 team enters new era

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Visa Cash App RB F1 team introduces its 2024 challenger, the VCARB 01, as they enter a new era and identity. Drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo are ready to take on the season for an action-packed year in their new look. Visa F1 has become the fifth team to take the covers off its new car for the upcoming season.