Williams Replaces Sargeant with Colapinto for Remainder of 2024 Season
Williams has replaced Logan Sargeant with academy driver Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Sargeant, 23, has faced significant pressure this year, and in July, it was announced that Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz would join the team for the 2025 season to partner with Alex Albon.
During the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, the American driver experienced a heavy crash during third practice, resulting in severe damage that prevented him from participating in qualifying.
In an official statement, Williams confirmed that Sargeant “will remain in the Williams family.”
Meanwhile, Argentine Colapinto expressed that the opportunity is “what dreams are made of.” The 21-year-old Formula 2 driver added, “The team has such amazing history and a mission to get back to the front, which I can’t wait to be a part of.”
After the crash at Zandvoort, team principal James Vowles consulted with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Christian Horner regarding the availability of drivers within their rosters.
However, it seems that Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson might not be available for all remaining races due to uncertainty surrounding the futures of both Sergio Perez at Red Bull and Daniel Ricciardo at their second team, RB.
Mere weeks before, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff indicated during the Dutch Grand Prix that their Italian protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is expected to race for the team next year, should not have his preparations disrupted by test runs in Mercedes cars.
Additionally, Williams had declined an offer to bring on Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher last winter, opting to retain Sargeant at that time.
Ultimately, Vowles chose to maintain the team’s young driver program by promoting Colapinto for what will be a nine-race sequence.
Vowles remarked that the decision to replace Sargeant mid-season was not made lightly. “We have just implemented a significant upgrade to the car and need to maximize every point-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle,” he added. “This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude.”
Sargeant made his Formula 1 debut in 2023 and has only scored one championship point—during the United States Grand Prix in October—across 36 grand prix entries.
Colapinto will make his first start for Williams at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza this weekend. He participated in first practice at Silverstone before the summer break and currently stands sixth in the F2 drivers’ championship.
How will Colapinto perform in his debut race for Williams?
