Williams has decided to shake things up for the remaining races of the 2024 Formula 1 season. They’re bringing in Franco Colapinto, a 21-year-old talent from their Racing Driver Academy, to replace Logan Sargeant as Alex Albon’s teammate starting from the Italian Grand Prix.
If you’ve been following F1 or the junior categories, you might remember Colapinto from his debut with Williams during the British Grand Prix this year. He’s been making waves in the F2 feeder series, where he’s currently sixth in the standings with a win and a couple of second-place finishes. Colapinto will also be making history as the first Argentine driver in F1 in 23 years, following in the footsteps of Gaston Mazzacane, who last raced for Prost in 2001. He’s only the second Argentine to drive for Williams, the first being Carlos Reutemann.
Team Reflects on Sargeant’s Departure and Colapinto’s Arrival
Williams has taken a moment to thank Sargeant for his efforts over the past two seasons. The American driver has had a tough run recently, with a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix highlighting the challenges he’s faced. It was also recently announced that Carlos Sainz will join the team next year, which added more pressure to Sargeant’s situation.
Colapinto’s excitement about joining F1 is palpable. He sees this as a dream opportunity and is thrilled to be part of a team with such a storied history. He’s aware that jumping into F1 mid-season will be a significant challenge, but he’s ready to dive in and give it his all. His focus will be on working closely with Alex Albon and the rest of the team to make the most of this opportunity.
Williams Team Principal, James Vowles, explained that the decision to replace Sargeant wasn’t made lightly. With a major car upgrade recently introduced, the team believes that bringing in Colapinto will give them the best chance to score points in a highly competitive midfield. Vowles also mentioned the importance of investing in young talent from their academy, and he’s confident that Colapinto will make a strong impression.
It’s clear that Williams has a lot of faith in Colapinto’s potential. They’re hopeful that his performance in the final nine races will showcase his speed and ability. Meanwhile, they remain supportive of Sargeant and are committed to helping him continue his racing career.
