Williams racer Logan Sargeant won’t compete in the Australian Grand Prix because his team handed his car to teammate Alex Albon, whose car was damaged in a crash during Friday’s practice.
Sargeant, the only American driver in F1, will miss Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race at Albert Park. Williams decided to prioritize Albon’s chances of scoring points.
Albon crashed into the barriers in the first practice session, causing extensive damage to his car. Despite being unharmed, he couldn’t participate in the second session while Williams assessed the damage. The team determined the car couldn’t be repaired at the circuit and had to be sent back to England.
Williams confirmed they didn’t bring a spare chassis to the event, leading to the decision to withdraw Sargeant.
Team principal James Vowles expressed gratitude to Sargeant for accepting the decision gracefully, acknowledging his dedication to the team. He admitted the situation was tough and vowed not to repeat it.
Vowles criticized the lack of a spare chassis, attributing it to the team’s difficulties during the winter period. Williams, once dominant, has struggled in recent years and is working to modernize its infrastructure.
It will be the first time Sargeant, from Florida, will miss a Grand Prix since his F1 debut last year. He expressed his disappointment but pledged to support the team.
Albon acknowledged that no driver would willingly give up their seat but praised Sargeant for his professionalism and team spirit.
