Less than a day after Formula 1 wrapped its 2022 season, it was announced that Florida-born Logan Sargeant will compete in the series for Williams Racing. Sargeant becomes the first American to race in F1 since Alexander Rossi graced the grid in 2015. He joins the legendary Williams F1 team as it attempts to evolve from a backmarker into a competitive organization.
“It’s a huge honor and a dream come true to be given this opportunity to compete in Formula 1 with Williams Racing,” he said. “A massive thank you to every person at Williams Racing and [owner] Dorilton Motor Sports for the support they’ve given me since the day I first joined the team at the 2021 United States Grand Prix.
(Photo by Joe Portlock – Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)
“Being a part of the Williams Driver Academy for the past year has given me an important platform to develop as a driver and prepare me for this next chapter. I’m ready and excited to be a part of this journey as the team looks to progress up the grid.”
Sargeant completes the team’s two-car line-up for the 2023 season alongside Alex Albon. He replaces Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi, who finished 21st, 17th, and, in 2022, 20th in points during his three years for Williams.
Nicholas Latifi during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice, on Nov 18, 2022. (Photo by Robert Szaniszló/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jost Capito, CEO and team principal, is pleased to have locked in his driver line-up for 2023. “We’re delighted to officially announce Logan as our driver for next year after qualifying for a super license following the final F2 event of the season in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
“Since joining our Driver Academy at the end of 2021, Logan has been able to fully integrate with the team while on the simulator and more recently at track during the four Free Practice sessions he’s participated in. He’s had a strong rookie season in Formula 2, and we are excited to watch him make the step up in Formula 1. We are here to support that journey with him.”
Capito is the former director of racing at Volkswagen, which he left in 2016 to join McLaren. He went to work for Williams in 2020 as CEO.
Sargeant was born on New Year’s Eve of 2000, in Ft. Lauderdale. The youngster began his kart racing career in 2008 in his home state of Florida, and moved to Europe to race there in 2012. He worked his way up through Formula 4, then Formula 3, then into FIA Formula 2 in 2021.
Logan Sargeant during F1 Grand Prix of Mexico practice. (Photo by Peter J Fox/Getty Images )
Sargeant, like previous American F1 drivers Alexander Rossi and Scott Speed, is virtually unknown in the United States. In order to get in line for a Formula 1 seat, you have to either have fabulously wealthy backers or do your seminal racing in Europe. Sargeant engaged in the latter. While his time across the pond has diluted his star status in his homeland, F1’s current popularity among Americans may be enough to vault Sargeant’s popularity into the stratosphere.
With three races scheduled for the U.S. in 2023, it’s a perfect time to have an American driver to root for, although Capito said that is not why the team chose Sargeant.
The young driver’s F1 journey starts tomorrow, at the postseason Yas Marina test.
