Williams looking at 'about three options' for second seat

Williams team principal James Vowles said he is looking at three options for the team's second seat in 2025 after signing Alex Albon to a multi-year extension last week.

Logan Sargeant currently occupies the second seat, but the 23-year-old has struggled in 2024 and sits at the bottom of the driver standings with zero points.

"I don't want to sully what I think is a really positive message that we have someone committing to the long-term future of Williams," Vowles told reporters on Thursday. "I'm looking, at the moment, at about three options for 2025 and 2026. It's as simple as that.

"When we're in a position where I can talk about it openly, which won't be long, we will do."

Retaining Sargeant is believed to be one of those options. However, the lone American driver on the Formula 1 grid has failed to produce consistent performances since joining the team in 2023.

"Logan has control in his hands in making sure he's performing at that level," Vowles said of the Florida native. "That's his ability to control. I haven't taken that away from him.

"But what's clear is we also need to be talking to others, and we are."

Multiple reports have linked those discussions to Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is currently racing in Formula 2.

Another could be veteran F1 driver Valtteri Bottas, who currently drives for Sauber. Nico Hulkenberg is leaving Haas to join Sauber as it transitions to Audi for the 2026 season.