Williams can give Liberty Media dream American F1 driver

Williams has confirmed one driver for 2023, namely Alexander Albon. The Thai driver remains loyal to the rearguard team and hopes to climb to the top together. The second spot is still vacant and may go to a surprising name: Logan Sargeant. The American is currently doing very well in Formula 2.

Formula 3 and debut in Formula 2

Sargeant drove in Formula 3 from 2019 to 2021. His most successful season was in 2020 when he finished third in the overall standings with the Prema team. A move to Formula 2 was not in the cards for the Florida driver at that time. In fact, he stepped back and joined Charouz in F3.

In 2021 he was announced as a junior at Williams and already made his F2 debut for HWA Racelab (now Van Amersfoort Racing) in Jeddah. He didn't really make a name for himself in the rearguard team, but Carlin found the American good enough for a permanent seat in 2022. Sargeant did not have to wait long for his first podium. He took a neat third place in the sprint race in Spain.

First wins and title chances

Just three weekends later, he made sure the American national anthem was heard. Sargeant won the main race in Britain, having previously qualified on pole. At the Red Bull Ring a week later, he finished third in the main race, but a time penalty from Roberto Merhi and the disqualification of Richard Verschoor meant he was promoted to first place.

Sargeant is therefore doing well in Formula 2 and is in third place before the summer break. There are still four weekends to go in Formula 2, and despite leading Felipe Drugovich by 61 points, Sargeant still has a chance to crown himself champion. The driver seems to be improving rapidly week on week.

An American in F1 at last?

What could help Sargeant win a place in F1 is his nationality. Formula 1 and Liberty Media have repeatedly said they would like to see an American F1 driver to boost the sport in the United States. The country has an F1 team in Haas F1 and three races will be held on American soil from 2023. Liberty Media may be willing to help the American get the second Williams seat.

Sargeant will not get that seat easily. The 21-year-old driver faces stiff competition from Nicholas Latifi, Nyck de Vries and, to some extent, Oscar Piastri. Latifi has half a season left to prove himself after many disappointing results after two and a half seasons at Williams. De Vries is a former Formula 2 champion and reigning Formula E champion. He is also a reserve driver for Mercedes, which is also Williams' engine supplier. Piastri seems to be on his way to McLaren, but rumour has it that Williams has already asked for the services of the Australian.

American team, American driver?

Williams is not the only option for Sargeant, by the way, although he does have the best chance of getting a seat there. Haas F1 entered F1 in 2016 with the aim of bringing in at least one American driver. That American never came until now. Currently, Kevin Magnussen is already confirmed for 2023, but Mick Schumacher is far from certain when we talk about Haas' second car. With Sargeant, the American team would finally be able to bring in that American driver.