The Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will replace the American Logan Sargeant at Williams for the remainder of the current Formula 1 season, taking over his position at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.
Colapinto, 21, is part of the Williams academy and made his debut in a free practice session at the British Grand Prix earlier this year. He will be the first Argentine driver in F1 in 23 years and the second Argentine to compete for Williams after Carlos Reutemann in the early 1980s.
“Colapinto will race with the team for the rest of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season and will compete from the Italian Grand Prix alongside Alex Albon. He will carry the race number 43,” said the British team Williams in a statement on Tuesday.
Of the ten teams in competition, Williams is currently in ninth place and has only scored four points in 15 races – all achieved by Albon. Sargeant, 23, was expected to leave at the end of the year.
“Replacing a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this will give Williams the best opportunity to compete for points during the rest of the season,” said team principal James Vowles. “We have just made a significant update to the car and we need to maximize every opportunity to score points in an extremely tight midfield battle.”
“This is undoubtedly incredibly tough for Logan, who has given everything during his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude,” the team principal added.
Next season, there will be further changes in the Williams cockpit. Carlos Sainz, currently at Ferrari, will drive for the British team next season, having signed a contract in July.