F1
Alex Albon caused irreparable damage to his Williams in a big shunt during first practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday; Logan Sargeant says giving up his car is “the hardest moment” of his career; watch qualifying from 5am on Saturday – live on Sky Sports F1
Friday 22 March 2024 10:39, UK
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Logan Sargeant will miss the Australian Grand Prix after Williams gave his team-mate Alex Albon their sole remaining car for the rest of the weekend following the Thai driver’s crash in practice.
Albon caused irreparable damage to his car in a huge shunt during first practice on Friday, after which it emerged that Williams do not have a spare chassis with them in Melbourne.
The British-born Thai driver sat out second practice but Williams later confirmed that Albon, who comprehensively outperformed Sargeant last year in their first campaign as team-mates, will drive in qualifying and Sunday’s race.
A Williams statement said: “Following Alex Albon’s accident during FP1 at the Australian Grand Prix, Williams Racing confirms that due to the extensive damage sustained, it is forced to withdraw the chassis for the remainder of the Grand Prix. This chassis will be returned to the team’s HQ at Grove for repair.
“Due to the fact that a third chassis is unavailable, the team can confirm it has taken the decision for Alex to compete for the remainder of the weekend in the chassis that Logan Sargeant drove in FP1 and FP2.”
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Albon lost control of the FW46 as he rode up on the kerb at Turn 7 of the high-speed Albert Park Circuit, with his car smashing into the barrier on one side of the track before bouncing over to the wall on the other side.
Teams would ordinarily have a third chassis with them at each event, but the rushed nature of Williams’ preparations for the season means they have been without a back-up option at the opening three grands prix of the season.
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“We are hugely disappointed that the damage sustained to the chassis has meant we need to withdraw it from the weekend,” team principal James Vowles said.
“It’s unacceptable in modern day Formula 1 not to have a spare chassis, but it is a reflection of how behind we were in the winter period and an illustration of why we need to go through significant change in order to get ourselves in a better position for the future. As a result, we have had some very difficult decisions to make this afternoon.”
“While Logan should not have to suffer from a mistake that he did not make, every race counts when the midfield is tighter than ever, so we have made the call based on our best potential to score points this weekend.
“This decision was not made lightly, and we cannot thank Logan enough for his graceful acceptance, demonstrating his dedication to the team; he is a true team player. This will prove a tough weekend for Williams, and this situation is not one that we will put ourselves in again.”
Sargeant endured a challenging rookie campaign last year as he finished bottom of the standings among drivers who completed the full season, claiming just one point across the 22 races, compared to Albon’s 27.
There was major doubt as to whether the American would be kept on for a second season, but he ultimately became the last driver to be confirmed on the 2024 grid.
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“This is the hardest moment I can remember in my career and it’s absolutely not easy,” Sargeant said.
“I am however completely here for the team and will continue to contribute in any way that I can this weekend to maximise what we can do.”
Albon, who also crashed out of last year’s race in Melbourne, admitted he wasn’t completely comfortable with the circumstances that will see him continue to race this weekend.
“I have to be totally honest and say that no driver would want to give up his seat,” Albon said. “I would never want anything like this to happen.
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“Logan has always been a consummate professional and a team player from day one, and this won’t be an easy one for him to take.
“At this point though, I cannot dwell on the situation and my only job now is to maximise our potential this weekend and work with the whole team to make sure we do the best job possible.”
Sky Sports F1 pundits Karun Chandhok and Naomi Schiff believe that Vowles made the right call in giving Albon the remaining Williams.
“I think this is the right call for the team to make,” Chandhok said. “A lot of people were questioning it, that it’s a hard decision.
“But I think that’s why people like James Vowles get put in those roles, they need to make these tough calls.
“And personally, I believe that if they’ve made that swap, that is the right call to make.
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Schiff added: “It’s a tough decision but it’s a dog-eat-dog world.
“At the end of the day, it always comes down to lap times. If anyone tells you lap times don’t matter, it’s not true. That’s why it’s important to be the quicker driver, that’s what makes you dominant, that’s what gives you the upper hand.
“It is tough on Logan, especially because he seems to have made some progress, but unfortunately the team’s going to make the decision that’s best for the team.”
Saturday March 23
Sunday March 24
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