Williams driver under immense pressure ahead of Miami Grand Prix

American Formula 1 driver Logan Sargeant is under increasing pressure after a difficult stint since debuting in Bahrain last year.

The Williams driver scored just one point last year at one of his three home races in Austin, which came somewhat fortuitously after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified for a technical infringement.

Albon dominated the intra-team battle in qualifying last year, and he failed to qualify in front of his teammates at any of the 22 races.

Sargeant was forced to give up his car in Australia earlier this year after teammate Alex Albon crashed in practice, and a spare chassis was unavailable.

This put tremendous pressure on the team and Albon, who could only drive to 11th place and finish outside the points. As well as putting Williams in the spotlight, it rendered the American a spectator on a weekend when he kept his car on the track, and Albon didn't.

Sargeant's struggles were epitomized last time in China, as he finished in 17th place, the last of the running cars.

By contrast, Albon finished in 12th and split the two Alpine's of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. 

This weekend's Miami Grand Prix in Sargeant's home state of Florida could provide the boost he needs before Formula 1 heads back to Europe over the summer.

He has already been to the Miami International Autodrome and saw the chequered flag a year ago, allowing the Williams driver to head into the event after having driven the track previously.

Mercedes junior and FIA Formula 2 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been reported as a potential replacement for the American, who continues to flounder at the back of the field. The Italian has performed admirably during his short career, winning the Italian F4 and FRECA titles and is now a front-runner in F2. 

The 17-year-old is too young to race in Formula 1 until his 18th birthday on August 25, but he has begun an extensive testing programme with Mercedes, driving their creations from 2021 and 2022. Antonelli is a hot prospect, and although it may be tempting to promote him to F1 as soon as possible, he has yet to score a podium in Formula 2 and has made a couple of mistakes that have cost him points.

Many rookies have been thrust into Formula 1 too soon, and promising talent has been unfulfilled as they struggle under a global spotlight.

After just five races in 2024, Sargeant still has time to convince Williams Team Principal James Vowles that he can deliver strong results. His contract expires at the end of the season; however, if he doesn't improve, time will soon run out for the 23-year-old.