Logan Sargent’s status at Williams for the 2024 F1 season appears to be secure, according to team principal James Vowles.
But in 2025, the story will be very different.
talk to sky sports f1 in imola Ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the Williams manager has spoken to the second-year driver and revealed Sargent needs to improve his form. If not, Bowles added, his position within the team could be in jeopardy in the future.
Williams team principal said: sky sports f1 He said he had a “direct conversation” with Sargent about the driver’s form, but that “that’s a very difficult conversation to have.”
“But the simple fact, as I have already explained, is that he is in danger. Behind that is the simple fact,” Vowles said. “He has to perform better than he is. This is meritocracy. I’m helping him on that journey. I want him to be successful. But in the meantime, we We need to get the lineup right for ’25, ’26 and ’27, so we’re talking to a few other drivers.”
The word “meritocracy” echoes what Vowles said in Miami two weeks ago, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. Remarks at the FIA press conference at the time Baules referred to rumors in the paddock that Williams is seeking an exemption from the FIA to allow Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is only 18, to join the grid before his milestone birthday this season.
“Like everyone else, we are looking at where we want to be in next year’s driver line-up and we have young drivers.” [program]. In your case, I can’t judge exactly what level he is at. If he gets into the car this year, I’ve always said from the beginning, it’s going to be a meritocracy. Voles said in Miami.. “Logan has to win the seat. And at the moment he has some tough goals that he has to get closer to Alex. But there are no thoughts on his replacement at the moment.”
Returning to Friday’s comments, Vowles said: sky sports f1 that “[in] “We’ll see some potential news in the region over the next few weeks,” he said, but made it clear that next season is what he’s talking about. “[W]The hat I’m talking about is a 25, 26 year old driver. There’s nothing about the season. “What I’m talking about is how do you build the right foundation to move things forward,” he added. “I’m ready to say to the world, ‘This is where we belong.’ Part of that is out of respect for Logan. I gave him a chance, and here he is stepping towards things.” I have to upload it.”
Vowles is adamant that Sargent’s future is in his hands.
“I explained to him that the control is in his hands and there is absolutely everything he can do to create an environment that keeps him in F1,” Bowles said. “The decision is not over. The door is not closed. That’s the point.
“I believe in having human conversations. Human conversations are about saying, “This is where you are and this is where you need to be. I will work with you as much as I can.” But you are in control of your own destiny,” Vowles added. “That’s my basic personality and my career so far, whether it’s as a driver, an engineer or someone else in the organization, being clear about what you have to achieve is… , which I feel is at least respectful.”
Sargent finished 18th in Friday’s first practice session.
Williams brought a series of upgrades to Imola, including a new floor to reduce the weight of the FW46. However, these upgrades only apply to Alexander and his Albon car, not Sargent’s car.
Albon’s session ended early when his FW46 shut down after the driver ran onto a curb.
