Mick Schumacher and Liam Lawson have emerged as main contenders for Williams if the Grove-based squad elects to make a driver change from this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
Williams crew boss James Vowles is known to be evaluating his choices within the wake of one other huge accident for Logan Sargeant at Zandvoort final weekend.
Sargeant, who’s being dropped by the crew on the finish of this yr in favour of Carlos Sainz, made a mistake in Saturday morning’s moist ultimate free apply session – dipping his right-hand wheels onto the grass at Flip 4.
That error meant he misplaced management of his automobile and spun at excessive velocity into the limitations on the skin of the circuit, destroying lots of the newest upgrades that Williams had dropped at the Dutch GP weekend.
Huge accidents for Sargeant, together with in Japan the place he additionally made an error in apply, have triggered spare elements issues this season, and a few have considered the American’s expensive accident at Zandvoort as a possible final straw.
Logan Sargeant, Williams FW46, jumps out of his automobile after a crash
Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
Vowles instructed German publication Auto Motor Und Sport in Zandvoort that Williams wanted to decide on what to do for the remainder of the season, however didn’t need to rush it whereas feelings had been excessive straight after the crash.
It’s understood that Vowles has sounded out rival crew bosses to see who might be accessible ought to he resolve that he desires another person in alongside Alexander Albon for the remainder of the season.
One logical choice is Schumacher, who’s reserve driver for the Mercedes operation whose engines Williams run. Vowles is mates with Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff, and placing a deal collectively can be fairly simple.
Nonetheless, one complication might be Schumacher’s WEC commitments for Alpine – with the German presently scheduled to race in Austin this weekend. The opposite two remaining WEC occasions additionally conflict with the Azerbaijan and Brazilian grands prix.
Schumacher has stated up to now that he would prioritise any F1 race likelihood over his sportscar efforts, however a name on a possible Monza likelihood would must be taken earlier than he travelled to america.
Talking on the Dutch GP, Wolff himself stated he wish to see Schumacher get one other alternative in an F1 race cockpit, with the German’s solely hope of securing a 2025 seat now resting on Sauber.
Wolff stated: “I’d very a lot hope that Mick will get the prospect as a result of we have not seen the actual Mick. You realize, successful F4, F3 and F2, after which you might be underperforming in F1… I feel he deserves an opportunity.
“The chance with Williams is one thing that we’d be cheering for. However that is James Vowles’ determination.”
Liam Lawson, Reserve Driver, Visa Money App RB F1 Staff
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Crimson Bull reserve Lawson is another choice, with the New Zealander being lined up for a return to full-time F1 competitors by his bosses for 2025 – whether or not on the RB squad or its sister Crimson Bull operation.
A chance to see out the season for Williams would give Crimson Bull extra time to guage the performances of Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo forward of a choice about subsequent yr’s pairings – whereas additionally serving to get Lawson again on top of things after his run of appearances for AlphaTauri in 2023.
Crimson Bull crew principal Christian Horner has stated that if the deal was proper for his crew then he can be open to an association with Williams.
“It could rely on which phrases and if we would have liked him again that we might have him again fairly rapidly,” he stated. “However definitely, in the event that they wanted a driver subsequent weekend [at Monza], we might be open to that. However that is a Williams query slightly than one for us to reply.”
