- Alex Albon crashed during the first training ahead of the Australian GP this weekend
- It caused extensive damage to his car, leaving the team without a spare chassis
- Williams has decided to give Logan Sargeant’s chassis to Albon this weekend
American Formula 1 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.
During the first training, Albon caused irreparable damage to his car during a huge shunt and was unable to run 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 boss James Vowles has decided to give Sargeant’s car to Albon as he believes the latter is their best chance of a points finish in Sunday’s race.
Sargeant has described the controversial team decision as the ‘toughest moment of his career’.
Logan Sargeant (left) has been withdrawn from the Australian Grand Prix after his car was given to teammate Alex Albon (right), who crashed during first practice in Melbourne on Friday
Albon caused irreparable damage to his Williams after a serious shunt in the first training session
Williams did not have a spare chassis on track as Vowles admitted the team fell behind during the winter period and ‘will need to make significant changes in the future’
He said: ‘This is the hardest moment I can remember in my career and it is definitely not easy.’
“However, I am fully committed to the team and will continue to contribute in whatever way I can this weekend to get the most out of what we can do.”
Sargeant picked up just one point compared to Albon’s 27 for Williams last season. Neither man has taken a point in the first two races of the season.
Albon paid tribute to his teammate after the announcement, as he said: ‘No driver would want to give up their seat. I would never want something like that to happen.
“Logan has always been a consummate professional and team player since day one and this will not be easy for him.”
Team boss Vowles emphasized that while Sargeant should not have to suffer because of someone else’s mistake, the team had to make a decision about their ‘best potential to score points’.
He said: ‘It is unacceptable in modern 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 make significant changes to put ourselves in 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 midfield is tighter than ever, so we made this decision based on our best potential to score points this weekend.
Sargeant admitted that the decision made was the “hardest moment” of his career
“This decision has not been taken lightly and we cannot thank Logan enough for his gracious acceptance, demonstrating his commitment to the team.
“This situation is not something we will find ourselves in again.”