F1 veteran to join Alex Albon management structure

13-time F1 grand prix winner David Coulthard is set to join the management structure of Alex Albon, RacingNews365 understands.

Coulthard, a veteran of F1 with 246 race starts, will act as an additional guide for Albon as the Thai driver navigates his career.

For several years, Albon has been exclusively managed by Jacques Heckstall-Smith, a fellow former employee of Red Bull Racing, who will continue in his role for the Williams driver, and who is also known to have a strong relationship with Coulthard.

However, RacingNews365 understands the management structure will now be bolstered by Coulthard and will offer Albon the opportunity to directly learn from a driver mentor.

This effect was already seen on Friday at the Belgian Grand Prix as Coulthard was spotted conversing with Albon during FP1 at Spa-Francorchamps.

Coulthard has known Albon since the 30-year-old's days at Red Bull Racing, where the former still holds duties as an ambassador of the team.

The duo also have connections from a previous business partnership.

Following Albon's exit from Red Bull at the end of 2020, he sat out the 2021 season before striking up a partnership with Williams to return to the grid the following year.

He has been a consistent performer for the team since his arrival and in 2025, he helped lift the team to fifth in the constructors' standings alongside Carlos Sainz - its highest result in eight years.

However, the 2026 campaign has been a struggle for Albon as Williams' uncompetitive car across the opening stage of the season has seen it languish down the pecking order compared to its position last year.