GENERAL

Albon admits axing Sargeant mid-season is ‘brutal’

In the immediate wake of axing Sargeant, rumours swirled that either Red Bull’s Liam Lawson or Alpine’s Mick Schumacher could be loaned to Williams for the rest of 2024. Both were considered to replace the underperforming and crash-prone American, following a massive shunt at Zandvoort last weekend.  

However, team boss James Vowles ultimately opted for Williams’ own junior rookie, Argentine Franco Colapinto. “Axing Sargeant mid-season is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. But we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season. We brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximise every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle,” explained Vowles.

AXING SARGEANT MID-SEASON

What a way to end your F1 career. Logan Sargeant leaps from his burning Williams F1 car at Zandvoort last weekend. Image: Grand Prix 247

He admits it must be ‘incredibly tough’ for Sargeant, but added the team will support him to continue his racing career in the future. Williams’ Alex Albon reacted on social media saying: “I know first-hand how brutal this sport can be and it’s tough to see Logan leave the team mid-season. You gave it your all, brother, and it’s been a pleasure being teammates with you. I know whatever you do next, you’ll be awesome.”

Vowles’ former boss Toto Wolff admits another option for Williams was the Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli. But it would not have been wise to disturb his progression and put him in a Williams F1 car. It is also believed that Liam Lawson was Vowles’ next top pick after axing Sargeant. However, locked in a fierce mid-field battle with the Red Bull sister team, they chose not release the Kiwi to one its competitors.

ARGENTINA BACK ON THE GRID

axing Sargeant
Albon knows all too well the brutality of F1, being axed suddenly from the Red Bull senior team. Image: File

Argentinean Franco Colapinto (21) will vacate the race seat after Abu Dhabi to make way for Carlos Sainz, signed for 2025. The Ferrari driver will join Williams at a notably ambitious moment for the Grove-based team. Williams unveiled its first major car upgrade of 2024 last weekend, which Sargeant summarily flung into a Zandvoort barrier during free practice.  

Worse still for the team, Albon’s upgraded car was excluded from qualifying when the new floor was found to be too wide and therefore illegal. Sainz told Spanish news at Zandvoort that this was somewhat alarming: “I will find out what happened. I will ask and I find out for sure.” – with GMM

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE AMERICAN DRIVER BEING CUT MID-SEASON?

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