Mick Schumacher

It was a massive crash. Logan Sargeant crashed into the barriers of turn 4 at 200 km/h after he had put his right wheels on the grass verge on the exit of the Hugenholtz hairpin and still kept his foot on the gas. The Williams FW45 was completely destroyed in the impact. Only the chassis is said to have survived intact.

Upgrade effort in vain

The Williams mechanics were clearly frustrated by the American’s third serious accident of the season. “A hundred people worked for weeks on our major upgrade and worked their fingers to the bone so that we could use two cars with the new parts. And then everything was in ruins within a second. It was an unnecessary accident. You don’t take full risks in the third practice session in the rain,” said a disillusioned team boss, James Vowles.

He was also thinking of his long-suffering team, which now faces a long repair period with night shifts. The Williams was so badly damaged that it could not be made fit for qualifying. And on Sunday Sargeant will probably have to start at the back of the field with the old specification.

Motorsport Images

The wreckage of Logan Sargeant immediately caught fire.

Vowles speaks with Wolff

It could be the last Grand Prix for the American. After the crash, there were increasing signs that he would be replaced before Monza. The crash in Zandvoort was one too many. “I don’t want to make an emotional decision now,” Vowles said, urging himself to remain calm. But the former Mercedes strategy chief admitted that the cup had overflowed.

If Williams changes drivers, it has to happen before Monza. The autodrome is a good place for a reserve driver to make his debut. The next two races in Baku and Singapore are on street circuits, where it’s easy to end up in the wall while you’re getting to know the car.

Red Bull

Liam Lawson could also be an option.

Schumacher not the only option

When Vowles knocked on Toto Wolff’s office door shortly after the third training session, the first rumours had already started. Many people are already talking and writing that Mick Schumacher will be in the second Williams cockpit. But Vowles doesn’t want to rush into anything and assures that there are a few options just in case. Not just Mick Schumacher.

And if this driver is currently under contract with a team that does not use Mercedes engines, then Vowles would also have to speak to Wolff. One such option could be Liam Lawson. The New Zealander would have to be borrowed from Red Bull. It would be a temporary appointment either way. Williams has already made its choice of drivers for 2025 with Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz. Red Bull sports director Helmut Marko does not give Vowles any hope. “We have our own plans for Liam in the near future.” That could mean that Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo at ToroRosso this season. He would then be on the market.

Otherwise, there are only rookies on the market. Franco Colapinto comes from the company’s own driver pool. The Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto is a McLaren junior. And his compatriot Felipe Drugovich is under contract with Aston Martin. Both would come out of their contracts for a Formula 1 seat, however. But it is questionable whether a newcomer would help Williams.