Logan Sargeant axed by Williams for rest of F1 season after Zandvoort crash

Logan Sargeant has been axed by Williams for the remainder of the Formula One season after his high-speed crash during Dutch Grand Prix practice, with young Argentine Franco Colapinto promoted in his place.

Current Formula Two driver Colapinto will step up from his role as development driver to replace Sergeant after the American was dumped for the final nine races of the 2024 calendar, starting with this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

Sergeant cost the team a considerable sum of money with his accident at Zandvoort on Saturday that prevented him from taking part in qualifying, with the damages from his crash-prone season taking their toll to the point that the team no longer felt they could continue with the 23-year-old driving one of their cars.

“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,” said team principal James Vowles, who has already signed current Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz to take over the seat next season alongside Alex Albon.

“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.”

Colapinto will become the first Argentine driver in F1 in 23 years since Gastón Mazzacane raced for Minardi in 2001, and follows in the footsteps of Carlos Reutemann as the only other driver from the South American nation to compete for Williams.

“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.”

Williams also announced that Colapinto will race with the No 43, which will replace Sargeant’s No 2 this weekend in Monza.