GROVE, England (AP) — Formula One driver Alex Albon has ended speculation about his future by signing a multiyear contract extension with Williams in what team principal James Vowles called “a huge vote of confidence” in the once-dominant team’s rebuild.

Wednesday’s announcement comes after speculation linking Albon with an open seat at Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton leaves for Ferrari at the end of the year, or a possible return to his old team Red Bull. The British-born Thai driver had been under contract at Williams through 2025.

Williams said the new deal will keep Albon at the team “into the new era of Formula 1 regulations,” which kick off in 2026. It did not give more details.

Ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Albon said he hoped signing a new deal would boost the turnaround project under Vowles.

“I’m hoping the fact that I believe in this team, to everyone at the factory, that’s reason in itself to realize that we all can do this,” Albon said. “And I feel like and hope that I can give that reassurance in some ways to everyone, to know that I believe (in) this journey, so you should too.”