Williams boss James Vowles shares ‘blunt truth’ about whether Logan Sargeant will see out this season

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After the Belgian Grand Prix, there was the potential for several teams to line up with different drivers by the time they reached Zandvoort.

Red Bull met to discuss Sergio Perez’s future but decided to stick with the Mexican driver for the time being.

Daniel Ricciardo could have replaced Perez at Red Bull or lost his RB seat to Liam Lawson but the status quo has been maintained with the group for now.

However, at the other end of the paddock, Williams were also considering Logan Sargeant’s Formula 1 future.

Ted Kravitz questioned if Sargeant was taking part in his final qualifying session at Spa and the American will be glad he has another opportunity after failing to progress through Q1.

Esteban Ocon was touted as a potential replacement for Sargeant with his time at Alpine coming to an end but with his move to Haas settled for 2025, that driver switch doesn’t look set to happen.

Williams team principal James Vowles was speaking on the F1 Nation Podcast and reflecting on the driver changes that have taken place at the team during the summer.

After months of waiting, Carlos Sainz decided to commit his future to Williams to race alongside Alex Albon in 2025.

That leaves Sargeant without a drive at Williams for next year and Vowles has admitted that there are no guarantees the 23-year-old will take part in the final 10 race weekends.

However, Vowles wants to give Sargeant every opportunity to see out the season with the team having been part of the Williams family for years.

READ MORE: Williams driver Logan Sargeant’s life outside F1 from height to Donald Trump ties

James Vowles delivers update on Logan Sargeant’s immediate Williams future

Asked whether Sargeant will see out the rest of the season, Vowles said: “As I’ve said time and time again, I’ve done everything possible and I will continue to do so to give him the platform where he can do so.

“In other words, I want him to see out the season. I want him. He’s a Williams Academy driver. He will remain a Williams Academy driver. We’ve invested in him.

“And I don’t just mean two years of Formula One. I mean also in his F2 career and otherwise.

“As long as he earns it, he has a seat and he has to earn it and I would say that the blunt truth behind it, which I provided him as well, is Silverstone and Budapest, good job. He really did move forward.

“You can see he’s seconds off Alex and Alex is faster than people think. But in Spa, we weren’t there and we have to understand why together, what’s different and will it apply to future races.

That’s the blunt truth behind it and many will take objection at this level of what I call brutal honesty on things.

“But I much rather that he is given every opportunity but knows where he has to improve rather than a decision gets made from one day to the next without any influence from the side.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship

What will Logan Sargeant do after finishing the 2024 F1 season?

It looks incredibly unlikely that Logan Sargeant will still be a Formula 1 driver beyond 2024.

The only realistic options on the grid for the 23-year-old are Alpine or Sauber / Audi but the American isn’t at the top of either of their shortlists although Sargeant’s management did previously enter talks with Haas.

Sargeant has been tipped for a move to IndyCar which would suit the American driver and give him a chance to prove his credentials in a series where he won’t potentially be racing for a backmarker.

Vowles is all too aware of how important every point could be this season with prize money tied to a team’s position in the Constructors’ Championship.

If he believes Williams can score more points with a different driver on the grid then he can’t hesitate to make a change.