- Alex Albon crashes during first practice ahead of this weekend’s Australian GP
- This caused significant damage to his car, with the team having no spare chassis.
- Williams has decided to entrust Logan Sargeant’s chassis to Albon this weekend
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American Formula One star Logan Sargeant will miss the Australian Grand Prix after his car was given to Alex Albon following the British-born Thai driver’s crash on Friday.
Albon caused irreparable damage to his car in a massive shunt during early practice and was unable to race for the rest of the day.
Teams usually bring a spare chassis for situations like this, but Williams fell behind in winter testing and doesn’t have one available.
As a result, team principal James Vowles decided to give Sargeant’s car to Albon, believing the latter to be their best chance of finishing in the points in Sunday’s race.
Sargeant described the team’s controversial decision as the “most difficult moment of his career.”
Logan Sargeant (left) was withdrawn from the Australian Grand Prix after his car was given to teammate Alex Albon (right) who crashed during opening practice in Melbourne on Friday.
Albon caused irreparable damage to his Williams following a heavy shunt during first practice
Williams did not have a spare chassis at the track as Vowles admitted the team had fallen behind schedule during the winter period and was “expected to undergo significant changes in the future”.
He said: “This is the most difficult time I can remember in my career and it is absolutely not easy.”
“I’m all here for the team though and will continue to contribute in any way I can this weekend to maximize what we can do.”
Sargeant took just one point to Albon’s 27 for Williams last season. Neither man took a point in the first two races of the season.
Albon paid tribute to his teammate after this announcement: “No driver would want to give up their place. I would never want something like that to happen.
“Logan has always been a consummate professional and team player from day one and this will not be an easy task for him.”
Team manager Vowles insisted that while Sargeant shouldn’t have to suffer from someone else’s mistake, the team needed to make a decision on his “best scoring potential.” points “.
He said: “It is unacceptable in modern Formula 1 not to have a replacement chassis, but it reflects the delay we have fallen over the winter period and an illustration of why we need to make significant changes in order to put ourselves in a leadership position.” a better position for the future.
“While Logan shouldn’t have to suffer for a mistake he didn’t make, every race counts when the mid-pack is tighter than ever, so we made the decision based on our best potential to score points this weekend.”
Sargeant admitted the decision was the “hardest moment” of his career
“This decision was not made lightly and we cannot thank Logan enough for his grateful acceptance, demonstrating his dedication to the team.
“This situation is not one we will find ourselves in.”