(Motorsports news) Williams have confirmed that American F2 driver Logan Sargeant will be stepping up into F1 full-time as he is set to race alongside Alex Albon for 2023. Sargeant headed into the F2 season finale in Abu Dhabi, needing to score 10 points to acquire his Super Licence points in order to meet the required threshold to take part in Formula 1. Sargeant easily surpassed that figure by securing P4 in the final drivers’ standings in the F2 World Championship.
He has met the criteria set out by Williams Team Principal Jost Capito earlier this year, with Williams duly handing the race seat to Sargeant, having announced in September that they will part ways with Nicholas Latifi after three seasons. Sargeant will be the first American to race in F1 since Alexander Rossi in 2015 and will be looking forward to competing at three 2023 races in the USA at Austin, Las Vegas and Miami which is only 25 miles from his hometown. He was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and will replace Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi, who was dropped by Williams after three dismal seasons with the team.
“We’re delighted to officially announce Logan as our driver for next year after qualifying for a Super Licence following the final F2 event of the season in Abu Dhabi,” said Capito. “Logan completes our exciting driver line-up for 2023 alongside Alex. Since joining our Driver Academy at the end of 2021, Logan has been able to fully integrate with the team at Grove 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.”
Sargeant, who will become the first driver to fly the United States flag in F1 grid since Alexander Rossi in 2015, added: “It’s a huge honour and a dream come true to be given this opportunity to compete in Formula 1 with Williams Racing. A massive thank you to every person at Williams Racing and 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.
“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.”
Sven Smeets, in his role as Sporting Director of Williams, has overseen Sargeant’s progress in the Williams Driver Academy – with Smeets calling the promotion of the 21-year-old Floridian “a proud moment. To be able to give Logan the opportunity to compete in Formula 1 for Williams Racing next year after being an integral part of our Driver Academy is a proud moment for the team. Seeing a driver from the Academy getting in our F1 seat is a motivation for all the other Academy drivers and demonstrates legitimacy of the programme and the platform it provides. We are not only preparing him on track, but will be working hard over the winter off track to ensure he’s in the best possible position to start 2023.”
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