Williams Racing has been experiencing a slump in performance, so far placing ninth in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship and only scoring points twice thanks to Alex Albon.

While the Thai driver will stay until 2026, it has been announced that Logan Sargeant is officially leaving the F1 grid after a season and a half.

Williams team principal James Vowles expressed the disappointing news: “To replace a driver midseason is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season.”

Williams Racing Academy driver Franco Colapinto will effectively replace Sargeant starting at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. That will also mean that the Argentine’s current stint with MP Motorsport in the 2024 Formula 2 season will come to a halt after achieving sixth in the drivers’ standings before the summer break.

He also had his first taste of the FW46 during the first free-practice session of the 2024 British Grand Prix. “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,” Vowles added.

With Carlos Sainz expected to join the team in 2025, Colapinto will most likely depart by the end of the season and return to the F2 grid. However, with Albon’s contract only lasting two more years, we might see the Argentine return in 2027 and beyond.