Formula 1 returned after the mid-season summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix, a race won by Lando Norris and that, bizarrely, had no safety cars, 20 drivers finishing and no notable crashes.

One notable crash, however, came from Logan Sargeant of Williams in Saturday’s P3 session. Thankfully, Sargeant was able to walk away unharmed, although damage to his car was unable to be fixed in time for qualifying later that day, causing the American to start Sunday’s race at the back of the grid.

This wasn’t the first crash of the 23-year-old’s career in F1, with the Williams driver reportedly causing £3.4 million worth of damage during the 2023 season. The current season has seen Sargeant suffer crashes in Japan, Canada, and Miami, which was perhaps enough evidence for Team Principal James Vowles to pull the trigger on a move for Carlos Sainz ahead of 2025.

It seems now, however, that enough is enough, with Williams deciding to take immediate action. Out goes Sargeant, and in comes Franco Colapinto. The Argentine driver has been competing for MP Motorsport in Formula 2 this season and gets the nod ahead of Liam Lawson, who RB is keeping hold of in case it chooses to make a similar change before the end of the season.

21 year old Colapinto has been a part of the Williams Driver Academy since 2023 and, despite his young age, brings a wealth of experience. His professional career began in the F4 Spanish Championship in 2018, competing in four races for Drivex. The following year, he would go on to win his first championship in the competition, picking up 11 wins from 21 races. Subsequent years saw third place finishes in the 2020 Formula Renault Eurocup, 2020 Toyota Racing Series and 2021 Asian Le Mans Series. Places on the 2025 F1 grid are running out, with only three undeclared places left so Colapinto’s upcoming stint at Williams represents something of a free hit and chance to impress on the world stage.

The 2024 F1 season continues with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: BugWarp & Red Bull
video: Sky Sports F1