CRASH AND BURN
F1 driver brutally AXED with immediate effect after horror crash as replacement drafted in for remainder of season
The F1 team have taken an incredible gamble by putting a rookie in midway through the season
LOGAN SARGEANT has been AXED by Williams after his crashing before last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old has been given the boot after the collision during practice for last weekend's race at Zandvoort.
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And Williams have decided to remove the American from his seat for the remainder of the season and replace him with Formula One newbie Franco Colapinto.
A Team statement read: "Williams Racing announces that Franco Colapinto will race with the team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season and will compete from the Italian Grand Prix alongside Alex Albon.
"He will use the race number #43.
"Franco is a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and made his FP1 debut in this year’s FW46 at the British Grand Prix."Franco is a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and made his FP1 debut in this year’s FW46 at the British Grand Prix.
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"His F2 campaign this year has seen him secure a race win in Imola and podiums in the Barcelona and Austria Feature races, as well as seven further points-scoring outings.
"The 21-year-old will become the 49th Grand Prix driver for Williams Racing, is the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years and the second Argentine to drive for the British outfit, following his countryman Carlos Reutemann."
Argentine Colapinto knows replacing Sargeant won't be an easy task but is excited to have been thrown in at the deep end midway through the season.
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He said: “It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of.
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"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.”
Sargeant lost control of his car at nearly 110mph at turn four and collided with the barrier.
The car immediately burst into flames but Sargeant, thankfully, escaped unharmed.
Williams Team Principle James Vowles said of Sargeant's axing: “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.
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"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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