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F2 racer Colapinto replaces Sargeant at Williams for rest of 2024 season
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Williams have announced that academy driver and F2 racer Franco Colapinto will contest the remainder of the season with the squad, replacing Logan Sargeant as Alex Albon’s team mate from the Italian Grand Prix.
Colapinto joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in early 2023 and made his FP1 debut with the F1 team at this year’s British Grand Prix – giving him an initial taste of the FW46.
A race winner in an array of categories on the junior single-seater scene, the 21-year-old had been contesting his first full season in the F2 feeder championship, holding sixth in the 2024 standings with a race win and two second-place finishes to his name.
He will become the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years, after Gaston Mazzacane’s last appearances for Prost back in 2001, and only the second Argentine to drive for Williams, following on from his countryman Carlos Reutemann.
Colapinto made his F1 weekend debut with Williams at Silverstone earlier this season
In their press release, Williams took the opportunity “to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution over the past two seasons”, adding he “will remain in the Williams family and we will support him to continue his racing career”.
It comes after a particularly challenging run for the American, who crashed his updated Williams at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, a few weeks on from confirmation that he will be replaced by Carlos Sainz next year.
“It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of,” Colapinto said of the news. “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 Team Principal James Vowles added: “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.
2024 Dutch GP: Sargeant crashes heavily into the barriers at turn 4
“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.”
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