Williams Racing has officially announced a major change in its driver lineup for the remainder of the 2024 F1 season, replacing American driver Logan Sargeant with promising Argentine talent Franco Colapinto.
Colapinto who is a member of the Williams Driver Academy is set to make his debut at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix in Monza, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first Argentine driver to compete in the sport in 23 years.
“Williams Racing announces that Franco Colapinto will race with the team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season and will compete from the Italian Grand Prix alongside Alex Albon. He will use the race number 43,” a statement from the team read.
“Franco 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 team would like to take the opportunity to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution over the past two seasons. He 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.
“Logan will remain in the Williams family and we will support him to continue his racing career.”
The decision follows a series of disappointing performances from Sargeant culminating in a crash during the Dutch Grand Prix that damaged the team’s upgraded car.
The American driver, who joined Williams at the beginning of the 2023 season, has struggled to make an impact in his second year in Formula 1. Despite being a promising talent he has failed to score any points in the 2024 season, with his best finish being 11th place at Silverstone in July.
The Floridian driver has been involved in several incidents including a particularly damaging crash in Zandvoort which forced Team Principal James Vowles to make a mid-season move in reassessing their driver lineup.
“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,” Vowles said.
“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.”
Speaking about his upcoming debut, Colapinto commented in a press release from the team: “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.”
