Logan Sargeant to make FP1 debut with Williams in Austin
Williams Academy driver and double FIA Formula 2 race winner Logan Sargeant will make his Formula 1 FP1 debut for Williams at the United States Grand Prix in October.
The American driver will take over Nicholas Latifi’s FW44 for the 60-minute session FW44 on home turf during the first Free Practice session of the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix 2022 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Friday 21 October.
Sargeant currently sits third in the FIA F2 standings with 119 points scored so far this season, 61 points adrift of runaway leader Felipe Drugovich. Following an impressive start to his first full season in Formula 2, he scored his first podium finish in the sprint race at Barcelona with a third place before finishing second in the Baku feature race. He could raise the bar at the next event by winning the feature race at Silverstone before achieving the same just a week later at the Red Bull Ring.
The Florida native previously raced in the FIA F3 championship from 2019 until 2021, finishing the 2020 season in the third place in the overall standings by only four points shy of champion Oscar Piastri.
Sargeant commented: “I’m super excited to be given this opportunity to drive my first Free Practice in Austin. To be given the chance at the US Grand Prix is something extremely special to me.
„A massive thank you to Williams for putting the trust and belief in me to do a good job. The goal for me will be to learn as much as possible in the new generation of cars. I’m looking forward to making the most of this experience and really enjoying it.”
What an honor it is to confirm that I will be joining @WilliamsRacing as part of their driver academy. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and the faith they’ve put in me. A massive thank you to @Infinity_ISM for all of their help. I can’t wait to get started. pic.twitter.com/DvyCOfDb9G
— Logan Sargeant (@LoganSargeant) October 22, 2021
The Grove based team said that Sargeant will be tasked „with aiding the team’s preparations for the weekend.”
Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets commented: “Logan has demonstrated a great level of ability and maturity so far this season through his accomplishments both on and off the track. He’s delivered race winning performances in Formula 2 matched by his hard work during simulator sessions.
„It felt only right to reward these achievements with the opportunity for him to take part in a Free Practice session at Austin. We’re looking forward to seeing him get behind the wheel of the FW44 and seeing how his performance and feedback help the team’s preparations for the race in Austin,” Smeets concluded.
Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, AlphaTauri confirmed that Liam Lawson will make his FP1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix. Alfa Romeo will also give an F2 driver the chance to drive on a grand prix weekend with Theo Pourchaire set to make his FP1 debut later on in the season.
