Janice R. Andrews
Williams has said that Franco Colapinto, a school driver, will take over for Logan Sargeant for the rest of the 2024 Formula 1 season. The choice comes after a tough year for Sargeant, who is 23 years old. He crashed badly during practice at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, damaging his car badly enough that he couldn’t even qualify.
Sargeant “will remain in the Williams family,” Williams said, even though the season changed in the middle. The American took his first F1 race in 2023 and has only scored one title point so far. That point came at the US Grand Prix in October.
The 21-year-old Formula 2 driver Colapinto was thrilled to join the team and said the chance was “what dreams are made of.” He also said, “I can’t wait to be a part of the team’s work to get back to the front. It has such an amazing history.”
James Vowles, the team’s captain, said that replacing Sargeant was a tough choice that had to be made to get the most points possible in a close midfield fight. “This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams,” said Vowles. “We want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude.”
This weekend at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Colapinto will race for the first time for Williams. He had a practice run at Silverstone before and is currently in sixth place in the F2 drivers’ title.
