Horner: I hope Mercedes don't block Albon to Williams

In a Silly Season that is in the process of unravelling unpredictably, Mercedes are also keen to place their newly-crowned Formula E champion Nyck de Vries and Williams, who are interested in Thai driver Albon, use the German manufacturers' engines.

"We're working hard to get him (Albon) a seat," Horner told Sky Sports television at the Dutch Grand Prix. "I really hope that Mercedes don't block his opportunity at Williams. That would be a great, great shame."

Horner explained that would be because of his links to Red Bull. "It would be a great shame if a driver were to pay the penalty for that. Hopefully, that won't come to play."

If no race seat was forthcoming, Albon would continue in a test and reserve role, added the boss. The 25-year-old drove for Red Bull last year but lost his seat to veteran Sergio Perez, now confirmed for 2022 alongside Max Verstappen.

Albon has since been racing in the German Touring Cars (DTM) series, winning at Nurburgring last month in the AlphaTauri Ferrari.

Horner revealed that Williams and Alfa Romeo had expressed "a lot of interest" in Albon and hoped something could be sorted within days.

"I think his preference would be Williams," he added. "But obviously there are a few hurdles. He's had about four phone calls telling him not to go there from the team next door (Mercedes). I told him to ignore them."

With Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen retiring at the end of the season and Williams' George Russell lined up to replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes, Formula 1 is braced for a driver shake-up anyway.

Bottas is expected to replace Raikkonen but there are doubts about the second Alfa seat, currently occupied by Italian Antonio Giovinazzi with engine provider Ferrari having a say on who fills it.

Albon is driving an AF Corse Ferrari in the DTM with sponsorship from Red Bull's AlphaTauri. Williams boss Jost Capito has worked closely with Red Bull in the past while head of Volkswagen Motorsport.

Asked whether Albon might be released from his Red Bull contract, Horner said there was flexibility, he said: "We'll accommodate whatever we can to ensure that he's back in a race seat next year."

De Vries has also been linked to Williams and Alfa but Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff said Albon was key to events: "At the moment it revolves around Alex Albon who, as Christian says, deserves a seat. He's a really good kid and he's probably the main protagonist in the moving chairs.

"Nyck has a guaranteed seat in Formula E with us and I'm in two minds. I wish him to be in Formula 1 but I don't want to lose him for our Formula E campaign," added Wolff. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)