Williams’ Logan Sargeant’s biggest lesson during his rookie Formula 1 season in 2023 was “appreciating the level of effort” required to compete consistently.
The American driver’s F1 future wasn’t settled until the conclusion of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when it was announced he would retain his place at Williams.
Sargeant endured a tricky rookie campaign, only accruing a single point with 10th place at the United States Grand Prix to become the first American to score since 1993.
Ahead of the final race weekend of the season at the Yas Marina Circuit in November, Sargeant reflected on his first year in F1 and what he had learned during his debut season.
“I think the biggest thing for me is appreciating the level of effort that needs to go into it to be able to perform at such a level every single day,” he said.
“You can get away with on a semi-average day in junior formulas, you’re still right at the front.
“Whereas here, that’s not the case.
“So it’s about trying to constantly be able to perform at that level, day in and day out.
“And I think that’s been the biggest thing.”
In 2023, Sargeant only outperformed experienced team-mate Alex Albon on two occasions in a grand prix and was out-qualified at every single one of the 22 rounds.
The 23-year-old acquired a best finish of 10th and a highest grid position of sixth in Las Vegas during his rookie campaign, which included seven DNFs and multiple incidents.
Despite the struggle to find form throughout the year, Sargeant has been offered a second crack at F1 in 2024 thanks to Team Principal James Vowles and Sky Sports F1 Lead Commentator David Croft believes the Williams boss is the perfect man to help Sargeant progress further.
“He was the perfect choice for a team principal if you wanted someone to help driver development,” Croft said of Vowles on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast.
“I think if anyone can get the best out of Logan Sargeant it will be James [Vowles].
“Now whether he does or not I don’t know, that’s up to Logan.
“But I think [Vowles] is a perfect man for that and it didn’t surprise me that they kept Logan [Sargeant] on for that reason.”
With a year of learning under his belt, Sargeant will have to show a step up in performance in 2024, by way of points scoring and improved qualifying performances.
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