Williams CEO Jost Capito has spoken about who his team will consider for its 2023 driver line-up if Logan Sargeant doesn’t secure a Formula 1 Super Licence.
Williams recently confirmed that Sargeant will race for the team next year if he ends the 2022 Formula 2 campaign with enough Super Licence points.
The American driver can secure it at the upcoming F2 finale from Abu Dhabi.
But if he doesn’t, Capito asserts that any driver that has the Super Licence and experience will be an option for the Grove-based squad to partner Alexander Albon next year.
“If it doesn’t work out with the SuperLicense [for Sargeant], everyone who has experience and a SuperLicense is an option,” Capito told Motorsport-Magazin.
It could potentially offer a lifeline to Mick Schumacher, amid reports that the German driver will be dropped by Haas for Nico Hulkenberg.
When asked if Williams has held discussions with Schumacher, Capito replied: “We have dealt with all those who come into question.
“But it hasn’t yet been decided whether Mick will stay at Haas or not. It would not have been possible to do that yet.”
Sargeant, who is part of the Williams junior academy, would become the first US driver to compete in F1 since the 2015 season.
He is currently competing in his maiden F2 campaign and sits third in the standings with one round remaining.
But what drew Williams to offering Sargeant an F1 promotion?
“First and foremost his development,” Capito said.
“If you compare his qualifying results in particular with those of his team-mates, he was always better in qualifying – even against a Piastri. That shows that his speed is there.
“Making a fast driver reliable is possible, but to make a reliable driver who is slow and make them fast, that’s not possible. Just like with the car, it’s exactly the same.
“He has to learn. He made the breakthrough, he was really good as a rookie in Formula 2, won races and was always good in qualifying.
“When he’s with us in the academy, he also has to get to Formula 1 quickly and show what he can do and learn there.”
