Logan Sargeant WITHDRAWN from the Australian Grand Prix in controversial decision... as Williams give his car to team-mate Alex Albon who crashed out during practice

American Formula One star Logan Sargeant will miss the Australian Grand Prix after his car was given to Alex Albon after the British-born Thai driver crashed on Friday. 

Albon caused irreparable damage to his car in a huge shunt during first practice and was not able to run for the rest of the day.

Teams typically bring a spare chassis for situations like this, however Williams fell behind during winter testing and do not have one available.

As a result, team principal James Vowles has decided to give Sargeant's car to Albon, believing the latter is their best chance of a points finish in Sunday's race.

Sargeant has described the controversial team decision as the 'hardest moment of his career'. 

Logan Sargeant (left) has been pulled out of the Australian Grand Prix after his car was given to team-mate Alex Albon (right) who crashed out of first practice in Melbourne on Friday

Albon caused irreparable damage to his Williams following a heavy shunt in first practice

Williams did not have a spare chassis at the track as Vowles admitted the team fell behind during the winter period and 'need to go through significant change in the future'

He said: 'This is the hardest moment I can remember in my career and it's absolutely not easy.'

'I am however completely here for the team and will continue to contribute in any way that I can this weekend to maximise what we can do.'

Sargeant took just one point compared to Albon's 27 for Williams last season. Neither man has taken a point in the opening two races of the season.

Albon paid credit to his team-mate after the announcement, as he said: 'No driver would want to give up his seat. I would never want anything like this to happen.

'Logan has always been a consummate professional and a team player from day one and this won't be an easy one for him to take.'

Team principal Vowles insisted that while Sargeant should not have to suffer from a mistake of someone else, the team had to make a decision on their 'best potential to score points'.

He said: 'It's unacceptable in modern day Formula One not to have a spare chassis but it is a reflection of how behind we were in the winter period and an illustration of why we need to go through significant change in order to get ourselves in a better position for the future.

'While Logan should not have to suffer from a mistake that he did not make, every race counts when the midfield is tighter than ever, so we have made the call based on our best potential to score points this weekend.

Sargeant admitted that the decision made was the 'hardest moment' of his career

'This decision was not made lightly and we cannot thank Logan enough for his grateful acceptance, demonstrating his dedication to the team.

'This situation is not one that we will put ourselves in again.'