F1 star axed from Australian GP in ‘hardest moment I can remember’ as fans slam ’embarrassing’ decision after huge crash
F1 star Logan Sargeant has been axed from the Australian Grand Prix… because of a crash by his TEAM-MATE.
Williams Racing have immediately been slammed for the controversial decision.
The 23-year-old was withdrawn due to a crash his team-mate Alex Albon suffered during a practice session on Friday morning.
Albon, 27, lost control and crashed into the wall at turn six of the Albert Park Circuit, causing significant damage to his car.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles subsequently revealed they do not have a spare chassis available for the weekend, meaning it cannot be fixed ahead of Sunday’s race.
They have since confirmed that Sargeant’s place on the grid has been sacrificed so that his team-mate can race – even though Albon caused the damage.
An official statement read: “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.”
Reacting to the news, a heartbroken Sargeant said: “This is the hardest moment I can remember in my career and it’s absolutely not easy.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Albon praised his team-mate for being a “consummate professional”.
He said: “I have to be totally honest and say that no driver would want to give up his seat. I would never want anything like this to happen.
“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.”
F1 fans have slammed the team’s decision to withdraw Sargeant from the race, with one person taking to X to write: “Embarrassing. I wouldn’t be shocked if this decision prevents certain drivers from joining the team in the foreseeable future — especially other teams putting young talent in the car. Lost a lot of respect for Vowles with this one.”
Another agreed, adding: “Have some shame, this is beyond embarrassing and unfair. Great way to damage someone’s confidence further when he was already struggling with it.”
A third commented: “Disgusting behaviour. I can’t see how the slight gain in race pace is worth the loss in team morale.”
While a fourth wrote: “Totally unfair at the beginning of the season with both drivers on 0 points. Logan is being punished for Alex crashing the car.”
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