F1 team 'evaluating whether to drop driver mid-season' after Dutch GP with potential replacement already named

Williams are reportedly 'evaluating' whether to drop Logan Sargeant after the Dutch Grand Prix.

Sargeant is yet to score a point in 2024, and has had multiple heavy crashes.

The latest of those came in Saturday practice at Zandvoort, with the American driving in wet conditions.

He drove two wheels on the grass and his Williams span into the wall, competely destroying the back of his car and meaning his team faced a lengthy rebuild job ahead of the race of Sunday.

A turbo fire compounded Williams' problems, and he was unable to compete in qualifying as a result of the incident.

RED FLAG 🟥

Logan Sargeant has walked away after a scary accident 😬 pic.twitter.com/UQvC3LObxf

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 24, 2024

Sargeant is not under contract with the team for 2025, as Ferrari's Carlos Sainz has been signed to partner Alex Albon.

Now, Sky Sports F1 are reporting that the American may not see the season out, with current Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher said to have been discussed as his 'most likely' replacement if he is subbed out of the car.

Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater says: "My understanding is Williams are evaluating whether they should sub Sargeant out of the car before the end of the season and perhaps place another driver in there.

"Perhaps as a kindness to himself, because his form is bedraggled at the moment.

Craig Slater reports that Williams are evaluating if Logan Sargeant should be subbed out of his seat at Williams before the end of the season 😮

In the event that this happens, the most likely replacement would be Mick Schumacher 👇 pic.twitter.com/LVCmBR4Plt

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 25, 2024

"It may happen, it may not happen. It is something they are evaluating, as I understand it. The team are saying absolutely nothing on the record about it.

"Mick Schumacher, given his contractual availability, is perhaps the likeliest driver if Williams decide to switch out Logan Sargeant."

Other options for Williams may include Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli, who has been all but confirmed by Toto Wolff as Lewis Hamilton's replacement for 2025.

But Sky say Mercedes have 'zero interest' in loaning the 18-year-old to Williams, while a move for Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson is also seen as unlikely due to his contractual obligations.

Williams do not have an official lead reserve driver. Formula 2 stars Franco Colapinto and Zak O'Sullivan are their test drivers, but would likely not be deemed ready to step up yet.

The last time Williams needed a mid-season replacement was in 2020, when George Russell was called up to Mercedes to replace Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Jack Aitken filled in on that occasion, but he is no longer the team's reserve driver having left the role at the beginning of 2023.