Red Bull's Christian Horner hasn't ruled out the possibility of Red Bull's burgeoning engine department supplying Williams in the future. With Red Bull taking on Honda's intellectual property for their engines at the end of 2021, as the Japanese giants leave Formula 1, Red Bull will become an engine manufacturer in their own right and are in the process of building an engine manufacturing facility on their campus at Milton Keynes. Red Bull's reserve driver, Alex Albon, was this week confirmed as joining Williams, a Mercedes-supplied team, and his links with Red Bull meant he had to be released from the company's control in order to do so. But the move has raised eyebrows, bringing up the possibility that this may be the start of a relationship between Williams and Red Bull at a time when Red Bull could become a viable supplier to other teams. Speaking to media, including RacingNews365.com over the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Horner said the possibility can't be overlooked. "Obviously, we don't have an engine facility yet, so we're busy sorting that," he said. "And we've got enough on our plate supplying it to two teams at this point in time [Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri] but, of course, with new regulations on the horizon, you can never say never in the future." Having managed to secure their reserve driver Albon a seat with Williams despite the Mercedes pushback, Horner said the team are thrilled to get their man back on the grid, even if he has no official ties to Red Bull in 2022. "[We are] really pleased for Alex to see him back in a race car next year. He's done a great job for us off track this year. I think he really deserves that opportunity and I'm delighted for him," he said. "Obviously, Williams had a keen desire, which is always a good starting point. And I have to say our dealings with them were very straightforward. There were a few little obstacles to him along on the way, but I was delighted that we were able to get to a good outcome for Alex, for Williams and for Red Bull."
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