The options for Mick Schumacher in Formula 1 are fewer, the competition is huge. A 21-year-old American could snatch the Williams cockpit from the young German. Who is Logan Sargeant that the Paddock has been speculating about for months?
It’s been seven years since an American made his rounds in the premier class of motorsport.
The last driver from the United States was Alexander Rossi with five starts in the 2015 season. Although he gained important experience in Formula 1, he could not recommend himself for a long-term career in Marussia.
Logan Sargeant is now hotly traded for 2023. The 21-year-old has been a regular driver in Formula 2 since this year and is driving a strong rookie season in the Carlin as teammate of Liam Lawson.
Sargeant won the main races at Silverstone and Spielberg, making him the first American ever to win a Formula 2 race.
Logan Sargeant makes his Formula 1 debut in Austin
In the overall standings of the junior series, the top talent from Florida is currently third ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Sargeant must at least finish fifth in order to get the necessary points for the super license, which is mandatory for a driving license in Formula 1.
As a junior driver of the Williams racing team, Sargeant will take his place in the FW44 for the first time at the end of October when he is allowed to complete the Friday sessions at the home Grand Prix in the USA in Austin.
It is quite possible that by then it will still not be clear who will take a seat in the Williams as Alexander Albon’s teammate in 2023.
Nyck de Vries, who celebrated a spectacular racing debut in Formula 1 with a ninth place in Monza, is said to be in pole position with nine-time constructors’ world champion Williams for the coming season.
After this performance, de Vries is also considered the new preferred candidate for the AlphaTauri team, which in turn could still hand Pierre Gasly over to Alpine. Should the Dutchman actually be drawn to Alpha Tauri, the Williams place would finally be free for Sargeant, who often surprised in Formula 2 this year.
The US boy impressed with strong performances on all different types of circuits and has already received great praise from prominent figures from Formula 1 this year.
Dream of jumping into Formula 1
From an early age, Sargeant was considered a huge talent in motorsport, and he celebrated his first successes as a kart driver at the age of less than eight. In 2015 he became world champion in the junior class before moving to the Formula 4 UAE Championship less than two years later.
Since then, Sargeant has excelled in various junior classes and has steadily continued his ascent, which has already catapulted him into Formula 2 this year.
Should he secure his third place overall (135 points) ahead of tied Jack Doohan, Jehan Daruvala and Enzo Fittipaldi (all 126 points) can defend and finish at least fifth, nothing stands in the way of a move to the premier class.
Williams team boss Jost Capito recently had no doubts that Logan Sargeant is ready for the next climb after just one year in Formula 2: “I think he’s ready. Yes, he needs a few points. Of course it doesn’t help , if he doesn’t get the points. But yeah, I’m confident he’s ready whether he gets the points or not.”
Meanwhile, Capito did not want to accept the argument that Sargeant would also have good marketing opportunities in the competitive and emerging US market: “We would not take him for that. Either we think he is ready and able, or not. He Might as well drive another year in Formula 2 or whatever.”
Is Mick Schumacher getting closer to Formula 1?
Should the traditional racing team opt for the young driver from Fort Lauderdale, that would also mean the next resounding slap in the face for Mick Schumacher.
The son of record world champion Michael Schumacher has been driving for weeks for his future in Formula 1 and still has no new contract in his pocket. Williams is considered the last option if the Haas team actually kicks the 23-year-old out.
Logan Sargeant could finally bury these Schumacher ambitions if he secures the Williams steering wheel for 2023. Another argument for Schumacher is that the decision as to whether Sargeant will receive the required super license will not be made until November, when the last race weekend in Formula 2 is due.
The poker for the last remaining places in the Formula 1 driver field in 2022 may continue until then.
Mats Yannick Roth