Logan Sargeant has been confirmed as the Williams driver for the upcoming Formula 1 season 2024.
To many, this could be a stalemate of a news. There are other drivers coming through the ranks. “Why wasn’t Liam Lawson given a chance?”, some might say.
After all, the New Zealander had already impressed with AlphaTauri ever since Daniel Ricciardo, the driver he replaced, got out injured and was left to watch the sport from the sidelines before ultimately marking his comeback.
That told, many would say, “why can’t Kubica come back and take that seat?”
That’s not all; many would contend with the view that the sport is more deserving of a high performing driver than an American who despite having youth and time on his hands, hasn’t really impressed.
But then, why doesn’t Logan Sargeant deserve another go in MotorSport’s top flight having completed just a season under his belt. And that’s about it; one season under his belt, from which he gathered something rather interesting.
At the recent race held at the Circuit of the Americas, which as on date, isn’t as far back in time in 2023 as the dramatic Esteban Ocon podium at Monaco or the season opener at Bahrain that was clinched by Max Verstappen, something stood out.
Lest it is forgotten, Logan Sargeant scored a P10 and in so doing, finally opened his account in Formula 1. Who better than Logan Sargeant, the man in the “other Williams”, would know how it feels to not win and to be persistently struggling sans much of a relief. Right?
But then to revel in others’ success isn’t exactly going to help the 21-year-old’s cause.
Is it? Even if that means taking a lesson or two from Alex Albon’s book, Logan’s teammate and good friend, whose commanding efforts in one half of the season made up for the vacant and barren looking sight the Williams points chart conjures.
But having said of that
“Logan has demonstrated immense skill whilst under the pressure of the world stage, making him a perfect fit for our team.”
“I am thrilled to be continuing with Williams Racing for the 2024 season,” added Mr. James Vowels, the current team principal of the Williams team.
But the young driver with just 22 races to his name would further add, “It has been an incredible journey with the team so far, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue developing as a driver within such a talented and dedicated group. We have exciting plans for the future, and I can’t wait to contribute to the team’s success in the coming year.”
This latest confirmation, however, also puts to dust the speculation one may have fostered with the lack of communication or news with regard to what would’ve become of Logan Sargeant.
Surely, if you look at 22 races and you don’t see anywhere other the 1 point, which is precisely what stands next to Logan Sargeant’s name in the 2023 season, you’d think that Williams made a disaster of a choice.
Second, you’d also be compelled to think what good was achieved by sticking with the very driver that found himself out qualified on every single occasion by his teammate. Really, lest it is forgotten, then Albon Alexed Logan.
But then the easy going and warmly Logan has a desire to better himself and that is what he’s doing.
Things may take time for as long as one works wholeheartedly towards raising his game. Logan Sargeant has that chance; a chance to raise his game.
So now’s the time for Logan Sargeant to finally come of age given Williams have showed interest in him again. We could have at our hands a driver who’ll hopefully smash his critics and raise the standard of the team that was once masterminded by sir Frank Williams and steered by the likes of Senna.
Truth be told, there’s this huge chance that Williams can guide the young American to become an exhilarating talent.
Logan Sargeant may not have any of the above besides a modicum of drives with Williams only one of which culminated into a top ten finish.
Surely, Williams can have better drivers. But in the rising American talent Logan Sargeant, the team seems ready to fight back to a position of responsibility. One hopes, Logan is prepared, too