Williams driver Logan Sargeant has denied that his crash in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix was similar to the mistakes he made during his rookie Formula 1 season.
Sargeant committed a plethora of errors during his maiden F1 campaign last term, including at Suzuka last October when he clattered into the barrier at the final turn.
The American committed another mishap upon his return to Japan, ending up in the barrier in the first practice hour after losing control of his car at the Dunlop Curve.
Sargeant’s car sustained damage to both his gearbox and suspension, but he avoided harming his chassis with Williams remaining without a spare tub for this weekend.
Although he would be sidelined from FP2, a sprinkling shower saw little meaningful running be completed and Sargeant’s car will be repaired for final practice tomorrow.
“I just put the car in a place I didn’t realise I was at, it’s a bit of a silly error to be honest, one I shouldn’t be making, especially in P1,” he reflected.
“Fortunately it wasn’t like the mistakes last year, wasn’t an over-pushing thing, nevertheless still left the team with some damage. Fortunately got away better than it could have been.”
Sargeant denied the notion that missing the Australian Grand Prix to allow team-mate Alex Albon to compete with the sole functioning chassis dented his confidence.
“Definitely wasn’t knocked at all,” he retorted when that was put to him. “If anything I came into this round after a week off feeling more fresh and ready to go than ever.
“So no, no confidence lost, wanted to kick myself a bit after today but nothing to do with that, a visual error I’m moving forward from tomorrow.”
Williams Team Principal James Vowles concurred with his driver’s assessment, acknowledging that the incident could not be attributed to Sargeant pushing the limits.
“What you saw here wasn’t a driver making a mistake because they were pushing to the limits,” he examined.
“It’s a very different type of mistake, a frustrating one by all accounts, because it wasn’t on the limit of what the car could do.
“There was far more turning potential in it, he just didn’t know where the car was on track, relative to where he expected it to be anyway.
“So I don’t think you’re seeing there the reaction of someone that wasn’t driving in Melbourne, you’re seeing more just a situation that could have appeared at any time.”
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