Williams Racing replaces Logan Sargeant with Franco Colapinto for F1 season

Williams Racing has replaced driver Logan Sargeant with Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the Formula 1 season.

Sargeant, 23, was the only American driver on the F1 circuit. He has failed to win a point this year with zero top-10 finishes and crashed in practice ahead of last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

It had already been confirmed that Sargeant would have his place taken by outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz for next season, but his removal has been brought forward.

“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,” team principal James Vowles said.

“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.”

UK-based Williams currently ranks ninth out of 10 teams in the F1 constructors’ standings with four points in 15 races, all won by Alex Albon.

Sargeant competed in 36 races for Williams over the past two seasons. His solitary point came at the 2023 US Grand Prix when he became the first American driver to score a point in F1 since Michael Andretti 30 years earlier.

“Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future,” Vowles said. “I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.”

Colapinto, a 21-year-old from Argentina, will race alongside Williams teammate Albon for the 2024 season’s final nine events, starting with Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

“It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of,” Colapinto said. “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.”

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission