Williams replace Sargeant with F2 racer Colapinto for rest of 2024 season
Following a very difficult weekend for Logan Sargeant at Zandvoort, Williams have announced that Franco Colapinto will replace the American for the remainder of the 2024 F1 season, starting to compete from the Italian Grand Prix alongside Alex Albon.
Franco Colapinto is a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and made his FP1 debut in this year’s FW46 at the British Grand Prix. His F2 campaign this year has seen him secure a race win in Imola and podiums in the Barcelona and Austria Feature races, as well as seven further points-scoring outings.
The 21-year-old will become the 49th Grand Prix driver for Williams Racing, is the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years and the second Argentine to drive for the British outfit, following his countryman Carlos Reutemann.
In the team's statement, Williams took the opportunity "to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution over the past two seasons. Logan will remain in the Williams family and we will support him to continue his racing career."
The Miami-born driver has competed in 36 Grands Prix and, at the US GP last year, became the first American driver to score an F1 point since Michael Andretti 30 years prior.
Speaking of the announcement, Colapinto noted: “It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of.
"The team has such amazing history and a mission to get back to the front which I can’t wait to be part of. Coming into F1 mid-season will be an enormous learning curve but I am up for the challenge, and I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success.”
Commenting on Williams' decision, team boss James Vowles said: “To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season.
"We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximise every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle. We also believe in investing in our young drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and Franco is getting a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of across the final nine rounds of the season.
"This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude. Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future. I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1," Vowles concluded.
