American Racer Logan Sargeant Gets Long-Term Deal With Williams F1

Up-and-coming American racer Logan Sargeant has joined Williams’ Formula 1 Driver Academy.

Sargeant finished third in the 2020 Formula 3 drivers' championship and finished seventh in 2021 despite competing for a mid-pack Charouz team that finished fifth in the F3 team standings. On Friday, ahead of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, Williams announced the recruitment of Florida native Sargeant, 20, on a long-term agreement.

Sargeant, who has yet to announce his 2022 driving plans, hopes to one day make it to the F1 grid. The last American to race in Formula 1 was Alexander Rossi in 2015.

Williams was acquired in August 2020 by New York-based investment firm Dorilton Capital and has made progress through 2021 to hold eighth place in Formula 1’s Constructors’ Championship. The team has already confirmed a race driver lineup for 2022 of incumbent Nicholas Latifi and ex-Red Bull racer Alexander Albon, who will take the place of Mercedes-bound George Russell.

As part of the agreement, Sargeant is set to undertake simulator work and assist with Williams’ development, becoming immersed in the team both trackside and at its factory in Grove, U.K.

The deal potentially paves the way for Sargeant to get behind the wheel of Formula 1 machinery as early as 2022. Championship organizers are expected to pass through a regulation stipulating that each team must run a rookie driver during two practice sessions in 2022, for which Sargeant would qualify.

“I am delighted to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” said Sargeant. “It’s a team with not only a fantastic history, but a great track record of bringing young talent into Formula 1. I am really excited to begin working with the team and can’t wait to hit the ground running.”

Added Williams Racing CEO Jost Capito: “I am incredibly pleased to welcome Logan to the Williams Racing Driver Academy. He’s demonstrated his talent in FIA Formula 3, consistently delivering strong results in an extremely competitive field. I’m proud that Williams will play a part in supporting the progression and growth of another talented young driver.”

Sargeant becomes the third American currently affiliated with a Formula 1 outfit; Jak Crawford is part of Red Bull’s young driver programme while Juan Manuel Correa is connected to Alfa Romeo via the Sauber Motorsport scheme.

Williams has a number of youngsters also under its wing, including one-time race starter Jack Aitken, Formula 2 driver Roy Nissany, and W Series front-runner Jamie Chadwick.