Franco Colapinto, a 21-year-old Argentinian, will drive for Williams for the rest of the F1 season. The F2 driver replaces American Logan Sargeant. Carlos Sainz takes over Sargeant’s seat next season.
Increasing frustration with Sargeant’s performance (zero points scored for the year) underscores the decision.
Team boss James Vowles simply ran out of patience. Driver options included Mercedes reserve Mick Schumacher and Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson. In the end, they opted for a known quantity, their own Academy driver.
James Vowles said: “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.
“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.
“I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.”
Colapinto spent two years in F3 and won four sprint races. He placed fourth overall in the 2023 standings. He graduated to F2 this year and following an in-season test he became a regular feature at the front of the field. The Argentinian had his breakthrough victory at the Imola sprint race, where he made a bold last-lap move on title contender Paul Aron.
He went on to score second-place finishes in the Austrian and Spanish feature races.
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