Mercedes, Red Bull chiefs have laid their thoughts on latest Williams rumour on Logan Sargeant, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli locked in for FP1.
Following his FP3 crash in F1 Dutch GP in tricky conditions at Circuit Zandvoort, fresh rumours were afloat during the weekend about Sargeant getting replaced before the 2024 end and it could be as early as this weekend in Italian GP at Monza.
The names linked to the seat as potential replacements were Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli & Mick Schumacher and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson. The Italian is set for his FP1 debut in Monza with Mercedes as team boss Toto Wolff confirmed.
But when put forward the likelihood of Antonelli actually making his F1 race debut with Williams, Wolff ruled out that possibility. “Between James Vowles and myself, we have a super transparent discussions and relationship,” he said to media. “James was part of developing Kimi and finding Kimi.
“So, I think what’s best for him is to continue the programme as we have designed it with the TPC testing and Formula 2 and see how that goes rather than disrupting our plan and giving him the opportunity in Williams. That’s the decision that we have taken,” summed up Wolff, who felt if the call for Schumacher comes around, he will be happy to agree.
The German lost out to Jack Doohan in the race for a Alpine seat, while he continues his WEC programme in the Hypercar class with the same manufacturer. “I would very much hope that Mick gets the chance because we haven’t seen the real Mick,” continued Wolff. “You’re not winning F4, F3, F2 and then you’re underperforming in Formula 1.
“I think he deserves a chance and if the opportunity would be at Williams, it’s something that we would be cheering for, is what I would say. But it’s James Vowles’ decision,” summed up Wolff, as his rival from Red Bull, Horner, too was open to loan out Lawson, provided the Grove-based outfit fulfils the desired clause.
“It would depend on which terms, and if we needed him back, that we could have him back quite quickly,” Horner said. “But certainly, if they needed a driver next weekend, you know, we’d be open to that – but that’s a Williams question rather than one for us to answer.”
Sargeant, meanwhile, was unfazed by the questions about his F1 future post the Dutch GP where he finished outside the points as his teammate Alexander Albon. “No, it is there every weekend,” he said. “So, there’s nothing new. [Frustrating to hear so again?] No, I could care less.”
While the Williams case continues on behind the scenes, Antonelli is gearing up for his first FP1 run in Monza in place of George Russell’s car. As noted above, Wolff revealed the news about the Italian making his debut, the team made it official on Monday.
“That’s a good idea,” Wolff said after the race. “Let’s do that. No, we’re going to do FP1 with Kimi in Monza, which is going to be a really emotional moment because we followed him longer than us. Since he was 11, a baby go-kart driver with a Mercedes kit, proud to be in the garage, to see him drive out on Friday in FP1 in Monza in front of the Tifosi.
“Having an Italian kid in a competitive car, I think that will be something that everybody in Italy can be very proud of. And then we take it from there.” The Italian is certainly ready for the challenge too, where he will have to jump around the F1 and F2 cars.
“Taking part in my first FP1 is going to be really special,” said Antonelli. “I’m really excited to drive the W15 and share the track with so many amazing drivers. I can’t wait for it. Making my F1 session debut in front of my home crowd too is incredible. I’m looking forward to learning a lot but also helping contribute to the team’s weekend.”
Here’s Logan Sargeant on FP3 crash
Here’s Logan Sargeant on Carlos Sainz hire
Here’s Lewis Hamilton, George Russell on Pete Bonnington
Here’s George Russell on what happened in Belgian GP
Here’s Alexander Albon on Williams being on the backfoot
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