Hamilton inspired F1 career Sargeant: 'I'd wake up early to watch races'

Logan Sargeant will make his full-time Formula 1 debut as Nicholas Latifi's replacement at Williams in 2023. None other than Lewis Hamilton was the great inspiration behind Sargeant's career.

An American driver will be back on the grid for the first time since 2015. Alexander Rossi was Sargeant's last compatriot to race in F1. Rossi entered five Grands Prix in action for Manor Marussia. This also makes Sargeant the first full-time driver from the United States since Scott Speed in 2007.

Hamilton inspired Sargeant

In an interview with GQ Sargeant talks more about his first memories of F1. The American driver was inspired by the title fight between Hamilton and Felipe Massa in 2008. Sargeant was seven years old at the time. Why did Sargeant choose F1?

"Because it’s simply the pinnacle of motorsport. It’s where competitiveness is at its highest and where the best drivers in the world are. Any kid’s dream is to reach the top of whatever they’re doing, so I’d say that’s what attracted me to it. I started watching Formula 1 back when Lewis [Hamilton] and Felipe Massa were battling for the championship in 2008. I’d wake up early to watch the races. Then I moved to Europe, so the races were finally on at a more normal time for me", says the new Williams acquisition. Sargeant will have to compete against Alexander Albon next year.