Logan Sargeant keen to limit reliance on Williams team-mate Alex Albon

Although Logan Sargeant is an F1 rookie for 2023, he does not want to just follow the lead of more experienced Williams team-mate Alex Albon.

Sargeant comes into the series as a newcomer with the weight of a nation on his back as the first American Formula 1 driver since 2015.

To have an American racer again has been a goal for Formula 1 over the past few years as American interest in the series continues to soar, but Sargeant will need to prove himself in this rookie campaign if he is to make his involvement in F1 anything more than a fleeting visit.

He certainly has a high benchmark on the other side of the garage in Albon, who in his return season in 2022 established himself as the lead driver at Williams, earning the reward of a multi-year contract extension.

And while Albon’s experience of how to make it work at Williams will be valuable for Sargeant, he does not want to use the Thai driver as a crutch in this first season.

“I think I have to trust myself,” said Sargeant at the Williams FW45 livery launch. “I have to trust my instinct and my feeling.

“If we feel we are going in different directions in terms of the set-up of the car, then I guess that’s the way it has to be. But I hope everything feels the same and we can move in the same direction.

“I plan not to rely on him too much. I feel like I have to stand up for myself and go through hard times and good times and experience all the different things. And that’s what ultimately makes you better.

“I want to make this transition as quick and easy as possible. I know there will be challenges, but hope to get a handle on them quickly.”

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That being said, Sargeant is not set on making himself the lone wolf in that Williams line-up, and is grateful for how open and honest Albon has been with him since he has stepped up to the Williams race seat.

Asked if Albon has lent any advice yet, Sargeant replied: “I wouldn’t say any tips or tricks. I’m sure he keeps those to himself. But, no, I think he’s a great team player in general.

“He clearly wants the best for the team. He understands that we have to work together for the team to progress as far as possible. And he’s been very open, very honest, very helpful. Everything you could ask for in a team-mate, especially as a rookie.”