It was Alex Albon who destroyed his FW46 in first practice for the Australian Grand Prix on Friday, but Logan Sargent will not compete for the rest of the weekend.
That's because Williams made what former Ferrari team manager Peter Windsor described as a “really strange” decision to change drivers because the team had no spare chassis available.
Logan Sargent absent, Alex Albon playing…
Albon suffered a serious accident at the start of practice in Melbourne when he hit the exit curb at a high-speed Turn 6 right-hand corner, lost control of his car and crashed into a wall, then across the track and into the wall on the opposite side. .
With damage to all four corners of the car and the chassis, Williams, who did not have a spare, made the unpleasant decision to leave the team and hand over his teammate's chassis to Albon for the remainder of the weekend.
“The really strange and sad thing is that Williams didn't have a spare chassis, so now Alex Albon will be racing in Logan Sargent's car,” Windsor said on his YouTube channel. Ta.
“Logan Sargent, who is paying for that drive, will be watching the race from the sideline. I think that's a very strange decision.
“I think Williams did that because they thought, 'Well, Albon is most likely to score points, we have to go and get them.' Logan responded very kindly. However, it is said to have been a truly strange decision.
“Keep in mind that Logan also spun and didn’t hit anything, but Alex ended up spinning in FP1. But it’s such a shame for Logan.”
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Team principal James Vowles said the decision to replace Sargent with Albon, through no fault of his own, was “one of the most difficult decisions” he had ever made as Williams team principal.
However, he explained the reason as follows: “The midfield is incredibly tight, so more than one or two points could make the difference between 10th and 6th place at the end of the season.
“At the moment our car's penetration is milliseconds. And while it's very sad to see a driver, through no fault of his own, not race on Sunday, I have to put the team first. Must be.
“Logan has been great. He's here to support the team in this. He's obviously very hurt as a result of this decision, but I hope he understands that the team comes first above all.” As long as you do, you’re just as strong.”
Williams broke curfew at night at the Albert Park circuit to prepare his car for Albon.
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