It might be a combination of factors, but it is weird for an academy backed driver to be bumped as the season is almost done.
And yes, I would guess that Williams was not paying 100% of the cost. Which again is weird, because the concept, as I understood, was support in exchange for exclusivity of driver’s services and less leeway for the driver to choose his path.
Each Academy works differently. For example, Alpine’s academy is said to be very good in providing training opportunities for their drivers, while Red Bull doesn’t offer any special training and just expects their drivers to be good but gets them way better spots in championships.
It might be a combination of factors, but it is weird for an academy backed driver to be bumped as the season is almost done.
And yes, I would guess that Williams was not paying 100% of the cost. Which again is weird, because the concept, as I understood, was support in exchange for exclusivity of driver’s services and less leeway for the driver to choose his path.
Each Academy works differently. For example, Alpine’s academy is said to be very good in providing training opportunities for their drivers, while Red Bull doesn’t offer any special training and just expects their drivers to be good but gets them way better spots in championships.