Williams team principal Jost Capito has announced Logan Sargeant will race for the team in 2023, provided the American accumulates the requisite Super Licence points in the final two rounds of the Formula 2 season.
Super licence regulations state a driver must have at least 40 points, and the 21-year-old’s tally currently stands at 31. That figure is set to rise to 33 after Sargeant completes free practice sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
It means the American must finish in the top six of the F2 standings without receiving any penalty points to reach that number. He currently sits third on 135 points.
Should Sargeant race for Williams next season, he would become the first American driver to compete in F1 since Alexander Rossi in 2015.
“We feel he’s ready to race,” Capito told the press. “Under the condition that he has enough super licence points after Abu Dhabi, he will be our second driver next year.
“He had one season in F2 and I’m a fan of getting young drivers as quickly as possible into F1 because the series below F1, the cars are like trucks.
“So get him in as quick as possible and find out if he’s capable of to stay in F1 for a long time. We believe he is.
“In his first year in F2 he won races and has been qualifying very strongly in all his years in his career so we believe he is ready.”
Sargeant already impressing for Williams
The American made his F1 practice debut for Williams at the United States Grand Prix on Friday, and he was delighted to do so in front of his home fans.
“I’d like to start by saying thank you again to Williams Racing and Dorilton Motor Sports for giving me the opportunity to drive on home turf yesterday here at COTA,” said Sargeant.
“It was one of the most enjoyable moments of my career so far. I’m very grateful to be given further time in the FW44 at Mexico and Abu Dhabi.”
The move means Sargeant will partner Alex Albon at Williams, and Capito is confident the Thai driver has enough experience to help the rookie.
“Yeah, I think we can have a rookie because with Alex we have a still young, but also very experienced driver. He is established so well in the team, fantastic results, he’s working well with the team – so we can put the rookie alongside him,” said Capito.
