David Coulthard issues ‘blunt’ verdict on F1 driver who ‘didn’t perform’ in 2023

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David Coulthard has now delivered a ‘blunt’ verdict on Logan Sargeant as he feels the American ‘did not perform’ through his rookie Formula 1 season at Williams last year.

The 23-year-old became the first driver from the United States to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport since Alexander Rossi drove for Manor during the 2015 season. Sargeant further became the first American to take a point in F1 since Michael Andretti at the 1993 Italian GP.

But Sargeant gained from the misfortune of other Formula 1 drivers to get P10 at the United States GP. He shuffled into the final points-paying spot as the stewards disqualified Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. They found severe wear to the Mercedes’ and Ferrari’s floors.

Alex Albon wiped the floor with Logan Sargeant in his rookie F1 season

Sargeant finished the United States GP in P12 before Hamilton and Leclerc’s disqualifications handed Williams a double points-paying result. Alex Albon also crept into ninth. A P11 at the British GP was Sargeant’s best result on the road as Lance Stroll got a five-second penalty.

Yet, even with that point on home soil, Albon wiped the floor with Sargeant in their head-to-head battle at Williams. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native lost to the London-born Thai in Grand Prix results 19-3 and qualifying 22-0. Albon also won 6-0 in Sprints and in Shootouts.

David Coulthard feels Logan Sargeant ‘didn’t really perform’ at Williams

Taking a point in his rookie season at Williams also ensured Sargeant finished in 21st place in the drivers’ championship. Only Nyck de Vries finished the year below him, having contested just 10 rounds before Red Bull booted the 29-year-old out of AlphaTauri for Daniel Ricciardo.

Now, Sargeant has it all to do all over again after Williams re-signed him after the final round last season. And Coulthard wishes the American well for 2024. But the former Red Bull racer still questions what Sargeant proved after claiming an average finishing position of just 16th.

Coulthard said on the Formula for Success podcast: “Who hasn’t performed? Well, just to be blunt, Logan Sargeant didn’t really perform last year.

“He’s been given a second chance, so let’s see. I wish him well, I think he’s a lovely person. But this isn’t show friends, this is show points. So, let’s see how he goes.”

Sargeant mostly kept a clean CV during his rookie campaign but blighted his first time in Q3 by crashing at the Dutch GP. The Williams pilot was also ‘a bit too aggressive’ and crashed in qualifying at the Japanese GP. Sargeant will surely need to improve his qualifying over 2024.