Williams explain ‘not special’ Schumacher F1 snub

Williams team principal James Vowles has explained why he opted to hand Franco Colapinto a drive for the remainder of the F1 season over Mick Schumacher.

The Grove-based squad confirmed after the Dutch Grand Prix that Logan Sargeant had been dropped from the team with immediate effect, with academy driver Colapinto taking over the seat.

Mick Schumacher was also been linked to the drive, as was Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson.

However, Vowles explained that Lawson was quickly ruled out of contention due to contractual issues with Red Bull.

“If we go through what options were available to us, there were three options on the table, which all of you sort of figured out,” Vowles told media including RacingNews365.

“One was Liam Lawson, one was Mick and one was Franco. With Liam, the contractual position of Red Bull wouldn't have worked with me here at Williams, so that didn't become an option for us in that circumstance.”

Schumacher spent two years at Haas before taking on a reserve role at Mercedes last season and an Alpine race seat in the World Endurance Championship.

Highlighting the steps Schumacher has made since departing a full-time F1 drive, Vowles said: “He's a competent driver. I know he had his time, but he has done incredible work with Alpine, with Mercedes and with McLaren in the meantime.

“And all advocates, if you speak to them, will tell you where he has adapted and where he has changed.”

Williams concede Schumacher 'not special'

While recognising he would have done a strong job at the team alongside Alex Albon, Vowles conceded that Schumacher lacks a “special” status to take priority over the squad's junior academy.

“So now the decision is 'do we put Mick in the car?' - I think Mick would have done a good job - or do we invest in an individual that's a part of our academy, who's done hundreds to thousands of laps in our simulator, who's driven the car, the only driver to have driven the car this year in FP1 [at Silverstone].

“I think both would fall into a category of good, not special. I think we have to be straightforward about this. 

“Mick is not special. He has just been good. I think he would come with a lot more experience than Franco does.

“But the future of Williams isn't investing in the past. It's investing in talent that allows us to move forward as individuals. When you're putting that amount of finance into the academy, you've got to put your actions where your words are.” 

Colapinto currently sits sixth in the Formula 2 standings as he exits the programme to focus on F1, with Vowles calling attention to the Argentine's position ahead of drivers who are being linked to or already signed up to a 2025 F1 drive.

“Franco's ahead in the F2 championship of [Kimi] Antonelli,” he said. “He's ahead of Bearman. He's at MP [Motorsport] - with all due respect to MP, it's not PREMA, it's not ART - and he's doing a good job. 

“Now, do I think we've put someone really in the deep end of the swimming pool? Absolutely, 100%.

“But if you listen to Franco's own words, you'll hear that he's ready for it, he's ready for the challenge. He knows what's in front of him.”