Williams’ Logan Sargeant makes honest admission about Japanese GP crash in Q1

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Logan Sargeant has admitted that he made a slight error exiting Suzuka’s final chicane that contributed to the Williams driver crashing out of qualifying for the Japanese GP.

The 22-year-old had a high-speed hit with the barriers exiting the last corner as he chased a fast time in Q1. It will see Sargeant start Sunday’s Japanese GP from the back of the grid. So long as Williams can repair his heavily damaged car after breaking his FW45 from both ends.

Sargeant is in desperate need of a positive drive as he continues to fight to retain his seat for the 2024 season. Williams are now the only team still yet to confirm both of their drivers for next year. AlphaTauri settled their line-up of Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda this Saturday.

Sargeant crashes in qualifying as he fights for his F1 career

It has been far from an ideal rookie season in Formula 1 for Sargeant. The American remains the only driver to compete through the full season who is still yet to take a single point. Alex Albon has registered all 21 of Williams’ points to rank seventh in the constructor’s standings.

The best that Sargeant has achieved in a Grand Prix at Williams was 11th at the British GP in July. He finished four seconds outside of the points at Silverstone thanks in part to the safety car bunching the field back up. His next-best F1 result was P12 on debut at the Bahrain GP.

The Williams driver felt positive after FP3 at the Japanese GP

Sargeant was feeling positive entering qualifying after the Williams driver produced a strong FP3 performance at the Japanese GP. He finished the final practice session in P16 but had a faster lap time than teammate Albon. The 27-year-old lapped Suzuka a tenth slower for P18.

“It’s been a good day until the incident,” Sargeant said, as quoted by RaceFans. “It was going well and we had the car in a good window.”

Yet Albon progressed to qualify in P13 and continued his 100% head-to-head record against Sargeant. The American crashed out of Q1 before he set a fast lap time after trying to fight a wobble. Now, Sargeant admits he got slightly overeager despite knowing his car’s limitation.

“I’ve just been struggling with rear overheating in the last sector,” Sargeant continued. “I lost the rear on exit. Maybe [I was] a bit too aggressive on [the] power with the tailwind, as well.

“The grass creeps up on you quickly as it’s coming back towards you. Unfortunately, once I touched the grass, there was nothing I could do. It’s disappointing and not what I wanted.”