Rale Schumacher has slammed Williams’ decision to overlook his nephew Mick and promote Franco Colapinto for the remaining Formula 1 races in 2024 as “absurd”.
Williams announced earlier this week that Colapinto will complete the season in the seat which Logan Sargeant held, starting this weekend with the Italian Grand Prix.
Sargeant was guaranteed to lose his place once this campaign concluded as Williams welcomes Carlos Sainz in 2025, but his seat had never been assured until then.
Williams boss James Vowles had reiterated on several occasions that Sargeant must prove that he warrants his position on the grid alongside team-mate Alex Albon.
However, the American wrecking the team’s recent considerable upgrade package with a massive crash in FP3 at Zandvoort last weekend proved to be the final straw.
But while Mercedes and Red Bull reserve drivers Mick Schumacher and Liam Lawson were tipped, Williams has opted to promote from inside its ranks with Colapinto.
Ralf Schumacher, who won six races with Williams between 1999 and 2004, has condemned the Grove-based squad’s choice to dismiss Schumacher’s F1 experience.
“You can perhaps respect this decision because Colapinto is a driver from Williams’ youth development programme,” Schumacher told Sky Germany.
“But I think it is absurd and not sensible from a performance point of view.
“I think the risk for the racing team and also for the driver is much, much higher than if they had put someone with experience like Mick in.”
Colapinto, who made his F1 weekend debut in FP1 at Silverstone, will be thrust into the limelight as he is poised to become the first Argentine to compete since 2001.
Vowles has asserted that Colapinto, who resides sixth in the standings in his maiden Formula 2 season, constitutes Williams’ greatest chance to attain crucial points.
To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly,” Vowles expressed.
“But we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season.
“We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximise every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle.
“We also believe in investing in our young drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and Franco is getting a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of across the final nine rounds of the season.”
Schumacher’s F1 presence has been restricted to a reserve role with Mercedes since Haas decided to not extend their partnership beyond its second season in 2022.
The German’s hopes of returning to the grid with a permanent drive in 2025 sit with Sauber, which will transition into a works Audi setup with new regulations in 2026.
