Ted Kravitz says it’s a ‘matter of opinion’ whether £15k-a-week driver will see out 2024 F1 season

While the 2025 Formula 1 driver’s market is the sole focus for many people on the grid at the moment, several racers are trying to make sure they make it to the end of the campaign.

For those drivers who don’t have a contract for next year, every race counts and team principals up and down the paddock will be studying their performances closely.

Ted Kravitz was reviewing the Austrian Grand Prix on Ted’s Notebook and spoke about one individual’s short-term future after another difficult race in Spielberg.

Beyond the key incident at the front of the race between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, there were some really interesting storylines further down the standings.

Haas were the biggest benefactors, picking up 12 points with Nico Hulkenberg making a strong case to the Driver of the Day with a 6^th-place finish.

Daniel Ricciardo – who has been linked with a mid-season switch with Liam Lawson – was also in the top 10 as was Alpine driver Pierre Gasly.

Aston Martin once again looked way off the pace and earning a fastest lap will make little difference to a fed-up Fernando Alonso who crossed the line in 18^th.

The only man Alonso beat who finished the race was Williams driver Logan Sargeant who had another race to forget.

Ted Kravitz questions whether Logan Sargeant will see out the season

Assessing how Sargeant fared during the Austrian Grand Prix, Kravitz said: “Logan Sargeant, well he finished 19^th and pretty much last as Lando Norris was the only DNF of the race.

“A terrible lap one ran into Lance Stroll, pitted onto the hard tyre with a new nosecone.

“Again, on lap 22, finished last and apologised to the team on the radio afterwards.

F1 Grand Prix of Austria — Photo by James Sutton – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

“He said, ‘Sorry guys, our pace was not too bad but I messed up at turn three, I apologise, you deserve it more.’

“Poor Logan, it’s a matter of opinion as to whether he’s actually going to see out the season with Williams, he seems to be doing a lot of apologising to the team and results which are beyond his undoubted ability.

“Bad luck Logan, hopefully it can get better for you at Silverstone.”

Which drivers are available to Williams if Logan Sargeant leaves this season?

Williams team principal James Vowles hasn’t hidden the fact that he’s looking to secure the strongest driver line-up possible for next year which is likely very bad news for Sargeant.

Their interest in Carlos Sainz is well known although he wouldn’t be available until the end of his Ferrari contract.

This leaves Williams with several potential options if they want to switch Sargeant out during the summer break.

The most obvious would be Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli who has previously been linked with the seat.

However, if RB did end up parting ways with Ricciardo, then he would suddenly be an interesting stop-gap option until the end of the campaign.

Williams have two young drivers in their academy driving in Formula 2 in Zak O’Sullivan and Franco Colapinto who have both tested F1 cars before, while Luke Browning is a championship challenger in Formula 3.

A real outside shot would be Mick Schumacher who appears desperate to break back into Formula 1 by any means necessary.

His management might be wise to get on the phone with Vowles to see if he’s interested in a mid-season swap.