Logan Sargeant is happy with his performances but is at risk of losing his seat according to James Vowles.
After missing out on points by a “shy pitstop”, Logan Sargeant was happy about his performance at the British Grand Prix. But as happy as he seems, his future at Formula One is in trouble. Especially after the principal, James Vowels hinted at a potential mid-season driver replacement.
Sargeant hasn’t finished in the points this season and his teammate, Alexander Albon has only scored points twice so far. For Williams, this year has been more difficult than 2023. Last year, the Oxfordshire-based team wrapped up the season with 28 points whereas as of mid 2024 season, Williams has only scored four points in total by Albon.
Given that Williams has already extended Albon for a long run, Vowels must still choose his teammate for the upcoming season. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who is yet to sign a new contract and Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas have been named as potential candidates according to some sources.
Sargeant has not yet out-qualified his teammate in a Grand Prix and has occasionally found it difficult to keep up with Albon in his second season with Williams. Albon has collected 29 points in his 32 starts. Sargeant has only managed to score one point in his 32 starts.
Sargeant, who finished 11th at the British Grand Prix and narrowly missed a point, has strongly stated that he will not give up.
Right on the cusp of points for Logan but a brilliant drive nonetheless 🤩🙌 pic.twitter.com/qMRxyFjzWz
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) July 7, 2024
“I’ve had noise for I don’t even know how long from every single direction, and at the end of the day, showing up to these weekends, I do my absolute best every single time, everyone in the team is working hard, and I’m also here for myself. I want to prove to myself I can keep improving, and keep showing that I can do it.” – Sargeant after the British Grand Prix.
Vowles on Sargeant’s future at Williams
Williams’ team principal, James Vowels doesn’t appear happy with the team’s current status. Sargeant’s future with Williams could be decided this year, according to Vowles after he hinted there might be a potential mid-season driver change.
Vowles has not concluded on Sargeant’s future since he believes that the car isn’t “quick enough” and wants both divers on equal pieces of machinery before making a firm decision.
“There will be a line in the sand where we have to make a decision and at that point, both for 2025 and maybe for something this year, we’ll decide on it.
“What I’ve said before and I’ve maintained today is that our car and this is a responsibility on my shoulders and the team, isn’t quick enough. It’s not a driver issue we suffer from today. We’ve simply been outdeveloped and we have to make sure that we accelerate that process.” – Vowels to Sky Sports F1.
Sargeant has stated that he will not let all the “noise” distract him. He will do his “absolute best” every time to prove himself and show the team that he can improve.
“In my head, I know the true facts, and I know that I’ve been doing a good job this season with what I’ve had and that is what matters most to me. I know I’ve been driving well with what I’ve had throughout the season.
“If I look since Suzuka I’m really proud of the way I’ve showed up and kept trying to deliver even when I don’t always have the car to deliver. I’m a fighter, I’m going to fight no matter what the situation is. I’m going to fight to the end.” – Logan Sargeant.
If not Sargeant, then who?
It doesn’t look like Sargaent might continue with Williams in 2025. Lewis Hamilton’s signing with Ferrari has left Carlos Sainz without a seat in 2025. For a while, Carlos Sainz looked like a front-runner for Sargeant’s seat. But Williams now appears to be searching beyond Sainz due to his delayed decision.
Recent rumours suggest that Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas is a strong contender to rejoin his old team and take Sargeant’s spot. Vowles is no stranger to working with Bottas. Prior to joining Williams as a team principal, Vowles was Bottas’ race engineer at Mercedes.
Mercedes’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli is rumoured to be “on loan” to the team before joining Geroge Russell. Vowels has suggested that a mid-season switch may happen but that decision has not yet been made.
