James Vowles proved right with new Sargeant contract despite ‘other options’
Williams were correct to hand rookie driver Logan Sargeant a new contract, according to Express Sport readers. James Vowles handed the American a one-year extension after the season finale in Abu Dhabi but revealed that the team did have ‘other choices’ when it came to deciding their final line-up.
Sargeant was promoted from the Williams driver academy ahead of the 2023 season, replacing Nicholas Latifi who departed following three years with the Grove-based team. Unfortunately for the American, there was to be no smooth start to life in F1.
Costly crashes and a worrying qualifying record meant that his future was up in the air heading into the final few rounds of the season, but his first-ever F1 point in Texas was followed up by an impressive end to the campaign, leading Vowles to retain his services for a second year.
7,114 Express Sport readers were asked whether or not Williams had made the correct decision in renewing Sargeant’s deal for 2024. While the voter split was extremely close, 51 per cent of those who voted believed that the 22-year-old had earned another shot at the big time. However, with 49 per cent thinking adversely, the rookie has a lot to prove in his sophomore year.
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Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Vowles explained: “Without question, he struggled across the year. However, across the last four [or] five races, part of it was definitely being in the top ten in Las Vegas and doing some incredible laps, not just one, three or four throughout qualifying.
“He’s absorbing the pressure far better than he did before. He’s fighting for the back end of the points. The car simply wasn’t quick enough across those last four rounds but he’s been where I needed him to be in order to demonstrate he’s made the step required and he can grow further next year, in other words, the journey is still growing.
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“There was optionality, there were other choices, but we’ve invested in him because we believe in him. He’s fiercely fast when he gets it all right and altogether. He needs the environment now where he can grow and do more of that next year. That’s why he deserves more of an opportunity.”
Of the options available to Williams, three are likely to have been Mick Schumacher, Frederik Vesti and Felipe Drugovich. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has a keen interest in both of the former two, while the latter was also rumoured to be in contention for a full-time driver after impressing during his first season as Aston Martin’s test and reserve driver.
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