Williams team boss James Vowles has provided an update on Logan Sargeant’s future, revealing that he wants to delve back into the year’s data before coming to a decision.
The vacant drive alongside Alex Albon is the only remaining seat left to be filled for 2024, with Vowles outlining earlier this year that a decision would come at the season’s end.
Sargeant endured a varied rookie campaign offset by some hefty shunts but did secure his maiden point in the United States and then qualified in seventh place in Las Vegas.
Although he failed to out-qualify team-mate Albon once all season and only contributed a solitary point to the team’s Constructors’ tally, Sargeant has remained the favourite.
But speaking after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Vowles admitted Williams was not yet in a position to announce that Sargeant had done enough to earn a contract extension.
“Whatever happens, Logan’s been a part of our academy for many, many years, and he will always remain a part of our academy,” Vowles said on the Formula 1 broadcast.
“He’s still an excellently quick driver. But also, if we step away from that, look at the last five races and how he’s been improving and stepping forward, I think you can see signs that he’s doing what we need to earn the seat, but we’re not in a position to confirm that just at this point in time.
“The main thing I wanted him to be aware of is I’m proud of the steps he’s made across this year. We have time together across this winter, many days across the winter, and let’s see what comes out of that.”
Later on, Vowles said that confirmation of Albon’s team-mate would come “within weeks of where are now”, adding that he wanted the opportunity to review the season.
“Fundamentally, I wanted to make sure I saw the end of the season and assess all the options,” the ex-Mercedes Strategy Director disclosed.
“I’m someone that was very clear from the beginning. I want to assess this across the season, not across one race, to make sure we make the right decision for this team and for the future of Logan as well.”
Vowles also conceded that, at this late stage, Williams does not have “many” other options for the seat. But he suggested that Sargeant remained the team’s preference regardless.
“I just want to check through a full season of data one more time and look at the progress, look at mistakes, look the outliers, look for growth and just make sure we’re on the right track.”
Meanwhile, Sargeant concluded that he had “given my all” and was hopeful of being granted the chance to improve upon his progress towards the end of the campaign.
“I’ve given my all, all season. I’m not the type of person to ever give in,” he commented. “I think that showed in Vegas, this end of the season where the pace has been strong.
“I’m never the type to give up. I gave it everything all year and hopefully I’m back to do more next year.”
