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Williams has dropped Logan Sargeant with immediate effect and will replace him with its academy driver Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the Formula 1 season.
Sargeant had already lost his drive for 2025 as Williams is bringing in Carlos Sainz - but the American's place even for the remainder of the year has been the subject of scrutiny at various points in 2024.
That possibility was thrust back into the spotlight at last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, where Sargeant had a huge crash in final practice that caused extensive damage to his upgraded Williams and ultimately took him out of qualifying.
Williams announced on Tuesday that Colapinto will take over the second FW46 for the remainder of the season, starting at the Italian GP this coming weekend.
It said it wanted to "take the opportunity to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution" since his debut at the start of the 2023 season and added that "Logan will remain in the Williams family and we will support him to continue his racing career".
Sargeant is one of three drivers, alongside Sauber duo Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, yet to score a point so far in 2024 and Williams team principal James Vowles said that had been an important factor in making this decision.
He said that had not been "taken lightly", but added: "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."
Colapinto, who is sixth in the Formula 2 standings and took his maiden victory in the sprint race at Imola in May, made his F1 weekend debut for Williams in practice for the British GP in July.
He drove in FP1 at Silverstone in place of Sargeant and impressed considerably, having previously driven the 2023 Williams in the end-of-season test at Abu Dhabi.
Colapinto will become the first Argentinian to race in F1 since Gaston Mazzacane, who raced for Minardi in 2000 and Prost in the opening four rounds of the 2001 season.
