Logan Sargeant left ‘shocked’ by Williams’ power after home FP1 outing

Henry Valantine
Logan Sargeant in FP1. Austin October 2022.

Williams reserve driver Logan Sargeant takes part in FP1. Austin October 2022.

Logan Sargeant said his Formula 1 experience was “different” to his expectations, admitting his surprise at just how much power was underneath him during FP1 in Austin.

The current Williams reserve driver took the wheel of Nicholas Latifi’s FW44 for first practice at the Circuit of The Americas on Friday – Sargeant’s home event – as he completed one of the team’s mandatory rookie practice sessions.

Sargeant, a Williams Academy driver who is currently third in this year’s Formula 2 standings, is also being heavily linked with the full-time race seat alongside Alex Albon next year, and completed 23 laps as he got to grips with taking part in a Formula 1 race weekend.

“Yeah, it was a lot different than what I expected, to be honest,” Sargeant told Sky F1 after getting out of the car.

“The way that the car reacts compared to what I’m used to in Formula 2 is massively different. Super reactive in the high-speed [corners] and so good on the brakes.

“But yeah, in general, it was a good, good run and I learned a lot.

“I was pretty shocked by how much power it had as well to start, so something to get used to, and it was tricky out there.”

The main thing the team will have been wanting from Sargeant on track apart from his outright pace would be his observations from the cockpit about his experiences, with sections of the Circuit of The Americas having been resurfaced for the new year to try and smooth out some of the bumpier areas of the track.

“I think, most importantly, is to go back, debrief, pick up on as much information as I can and give them as good feedback as possible,” Sargeant added.

“It was a good, good day in the office.”

Sargeant was given his first taste of a Formula 1 race weekend at his home event as Formula 1 returned to Austin, with the 21-year-old receiving adulation from American fans in attendance.

But given the focus he had on trying to do the best job he could for Williamswith a potential 2023 drive available – acknowledging the crowd was perhaps understandably not the first thing on his mind at the time.

“I had so much going on, I didn’t have time to think about it,” he admitted afterwards.

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