There have only been a handful of races in this new Formula 1 season, but as always, there’s a lot of talk about how drivers are performing and what could happen further down the line in terms of their seats. Williams’ Logan Sargeant is a hot topic of discussion because, even at this early stage, his seat looks less than secure, and he faces an uphill battle to remedy the situation.
There are only a couple of things you can be sure of where Formula 1 is concerned: Max Verstappen is everyone’s favourite to win the driver’s championship when looking at any Formula 1 betting online, and drivers’ seats will look shaky from pretty much the get-go, and they will really have to impress to change the minds of many that they’re the right man for the job. The latter couldn’t be any more accurate for Logan Sargeant, with his Williams seat already in doubt.
Sargeant, 23, has endured a more than difficult start to the new campaign, with an immediate indicator that all is not well coming in Melbourne when he was effectively substituted out of the race so Alex Albon could drive his car after wrecking the chassis of his own. Forced to watch the race from the garage, you could suggest the writing was on the wall already. Things haven’t improved for Sargeant since, but all hope is not lost, not yet anyway.
The Florida-born star has three races that you’d describe as “home” races this season, and the first is right around the corner in Miami. This represents an opportunity for Sargeant to get back on track and show his superiors what he’s capable of, reducing the pressure on his young shoulders at the same time. A step forward in Miami could make all the difference, keeping the academy drivers who are ready to jump into his seat away for now.
And that’s the big issue for Sargeant and Williams. The former, who reportedly earns £15,000 per week in his current role, not only knows his position is under threat but there are drivers ready to take his place. Williams don’t have to wait until the end of the season to make changes, they can do so as and when they see fit, which makes Sargeant’s predicament even more serious. It’s a case of must improve and must improve now, or his seat could be taken from under him.