Williams F1 are scouting the drivers in the market as pressure rises for Sargeant.
In 2024, Williams has made F1 news headlines for several reasons. Most notably, they were under fire after their decision to withdraw Logan Sargeant mid-weekend in Australia. For a driver still looking to establish himself, this move was widely condemned – especially after Alex Albon failed to score points on Sunday. However, beyond the social media noise, this call was extremely telling.
Of course, Sargeant is still in contention to earn a contract extension. Team principal James Vowles persistently defended the 23-year-old last season, even despite his rough spells. As a graduate of the Williams Academy, there is certainly plenty of goodwill from the team towards the American driver.
However, as evidenced earlier in Melbourne, rhetoric is not always congruent with on-track decisions. Several drivers are available in the market, and many could be perceived as an objective upgrade on the Floridian. In this environment, there is a realistic chance that Albon (whose contract does not expire until the end of 2025) will have a new teammate next year.
F1 News: Several names on the Williams radar
According to THE RACE, the British outfit is considering several drivers. This is only logical. F1 demands constant improvement in all areas, and driver selection is among the most essential elements to optimise.
Among potential candidates is Valtteri Bottas, a 10-time race winner who could be available in 2025. Only a few days ago, Audi-owned Sauber confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg will join the team on a multi-year deal. It is no secret that Carlos Sainz has been approached by the Hinwil-based squad and is their top priority. Even if the Spaniard opts against signing with the German brand, Bottas seems – at best – unlikely to keep his seat.
Other drivers are understood to be on Audi’s radar if the 29-year-old goes elsewhere.
Therefore, Bottas becomes an increasingly viable option for Williams. The Finn is still very capable and eager to continue racing in Formula 1. Moreover, he is surely more open to joining the factory in Grove than other desirable options for the team – such as Carlos Sainz or Esteban Ocon.
Sargeant urgently needed results
Once again, it must be emphasised that nothing is set in stone at Williams. Logan Sargeant is still capable of delivering the results necessary to convince James Vowles he deserves a new contract.
Before the season began, however, the Williams team principal made clear that a step forward was needed for a 2025 contract. In this sense, Sargeant has failed to improve on his efforts from last season meaningfully.
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