Williams Debunks 'Paid Driver' Accusations Surrounding Franco Colapinto

Williams has responded to questions about whether Franco Colapinto brought sponsors into the team, stating that he 'didn't bring any money'.

Colapinto received the nod to replace struggling Logan Sargeant in the middle of the season and will make his F1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

The young Argentine, who is part of the Williams Academy, beat out Mick Schumacher and Liam Lawson for a seat in the car.

Williams team principal James Vowles told Sky Sports about Colapinto:

'He didn't bring any money.'

'What's remarkable is that when we told him and his management about our decision, phones kept ringing with Argentinian companies wanting to join the party.'

'What you'll see on the car are stickers. They pay for the value and tariff, it's that simple.'

'Not because of Franco, but because of the money. They want the car to be recognized and proud because we're using an Argentinian driver.'

'If you know him, you know he's always been frugal, had no money at all during his career.'

'He doesn't owe anyone anything.'

'Formula 1 is not a school to learn how to finish races. This is the pinnacle.'

Martin Brundle from Sky Sports said:

'If you didn't deliver, someone else will come in and deliver.'

'This is how it works. This is how you get a chance - because someone else has been dropped.'

'Looking at the string of crashes Logan suffered, he caused a lot of damage. I'm not surprised they made a change.'

'Nothing stands out about Colapinto's career that shows 'something special'. But I've learned not to judge someone when they get in.'

Nyck de Vries, for instance, made a sensation when he jumped to Williams two years ago.'

Karun Chandhock said: 'Apart from Red Bull, which made many changes, you'd have to go back 15 years to see a rookie driver make it to the F1 grid.'

'That's not something that often happens in F1.

'Clearly, Williams thought they couldn't keep Sargeant.'