Williams F1 Team Replaces American Driver Logan Sargeant, Brings in Franco Colapinto

The Williams F1 team has dropped Logan Sargeant from its driver lineup for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season and replaced him with Formula 2 driver Franco Colapinto.

Sargeant has failed to score a point all season and has struggled to match the performance of teammate Alex Albon. A hefty accident during final practice at Zandvoort on Saturday proved the final straw and Williams has now called time on his time in the championship.

Williams, which had already signed Carlos Sainz as Sargeant’s 2025 replacement, scouted options, with Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson and Mercedes-affiliated Mick Schumacher also considered.

But advances to Lawson reached a dead end due to Red Bull’s desire to have first call on Lawson in the event of its two teams needing a stand-in. Schumacher had clashing commitments in endurance racing.

Williams has instead turned to 21-year-old Argentine Colapinto, a member of its young driver academy, to contest the remaining nine races of the campaign.

“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,” Williams team principal, James Vowles, said.

“We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximize 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.”

Colapinto will become Argentina’s first Formula 1 racer since 2001.

He holds sixth place in this year’s Formula 2 championship and has had a handful of outings for Williams, having contested the young driver test in Abu Dhabi in 2023, as well as first practice at Silverstone earlier this season.

“It is an honor 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.”