Vowles Considers Lawson Over Schumacher for Immediate Sargeant Replacement
Aug.26 - Liam Lawson is emerging as a leading contender to immediately replace Logan Sargeant at Williams.
Williams boss James Vowles, who has already excluded Sargeant from the team's plans beyond 2024, was furious with the 23-year-old American after his huge practice crash at Zandvoort.
It triggered strong rumours that Vowles could turn to engine supplier Mercedes' reserve driver Mick Schumacher to complete the season in Sargeant's seat as soon as this weekend's Italian GP at Monza.
But another rumoured contender is Lawson, even if Red Bull consultant Dr Helmut Marko initially ruled it out on the basis that "We have our own plans for Liam in the near future".
However, Marko was tempering his comments late on Sunday at Zandvoort.
"It's a bigger picture, but we have to see because it can be good for a young driver like that to gain racing experience," the Austrian told Sky Deutschland.
"We wouldn't necessarily stand in the way of that."
As for Mick Schumacher's candidacy for the short-term Williams race seat, his uncle Ralf commented: "There is a rumour that Williams have run out of patience after Sargeant's latest accident.
"Of course Mick is also on the list, but Liam Lawson is also being talked about. So negotiations are still ongoing," Schumacher senior, a pundit for German television, added.
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It would be great to see Liam Lawson get the chance for experience with Williams for the remainder of this season. I am sure Lawson won't be as expensive as Sargeant has been! Kiwis in F1 have been few and far between! Let's give him the opportunity to entertain us and push Albon.
Agree
Not really. Mick is still the more realistic interim option & even this year's remaining WEC rounds sharing a weekend with F1 would be a non-issue as he'd simply withdraw from those events to participate in F1 anyway.
Mick Schumacher and Liam Lawson are Old News!!
James Vowles has opted for a different direction and decided that Williams Driver Academy youngster Franco Colapinto was a better bet. Franco will complete the 2024 season with Williams prior to the arrival of Carlos for 2025.
Schumacher has proven that only teams with large budgets can afford his “talents”.