Logan Sargeant has been dropped by Williams for the remainder of the 2024 season, and the group will promote junior driver Franco Colapinto into its second race seat.
The American’s future has been below scrutiny for a lot of months and it was confirmed earlier than the summer time break that Carlos Sainz will take his seat full-time from 2025. Nonetheless, after a heavy crash in FP3 on the Dutch Grand Prix, Williams moved to line up potential replacements and has chosen Argentinian rookie Colapinto to race for the remainder of the yr.
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“To switch a driver mid-season shouldn’t be a call we have now taken frivolously, however we consider this provides Williams the most effective probability to compete for factors over the rest of the season,” group principal James Vowles stated. “We have now simply introduced a big improve to the automotive and wish to maximise each points-scoring alternative in a remarkably tight midfield battle.
“We additionally consider in investing in our younger drivers within the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and Franco is getting a unbelievable alternative to display what he’s able to throughout the ultimate 9 rounds of the season.
“That is undoubtedly extremely powerful on Logan, who has given his all all through his time with Williams, and we need to thank him for all his arduous work and constructive perspective. Logan stays a gifted driver and we’ll help him to proceed his racing profession for the long run.
“I do know that Franco has nice velocity and large potential, and we sit up for seeing what he can do in Method 1.”
Sargeant leaves Williams with a file of 1 level from 36 begins since making his debut in 2023. Colapinto is at present sixth within the Method 2 championship in his rookie season.
Colapinto turns into the primary Argentinian to race in F1 in 23 years, and can take over from Sargeant with instant impact, beginning with this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
“It’s an honor to be making my Method 1 debut with Williams – that is what goals are made from,” Colapinto stated. “The group has such wonderful historical past and a mission to get again to the entrance which I can’t wait to be a part of. Coming into F1 mid-season shall be an unlimited studying curve however I’m up for the problem, and I’m absolutely targeted on working as arduous as I can with Alex and the group to make it a hit.”
