American Logan Sargeant will be a Williams Formula 1 driver next year providing he secures a super-licence, team boss Jost Capito said at the U.S. Grand Prix on Saturday.
The Florida-born 21-year-old is currently competing in Formula 2 and will be the first U.S. driver in the sport since Alexander Rossi in 2015.
“We feel he is ready to race and under the condition that he has enough super-licence points after (the season-ending race in) Abu Dhabi he will be our second driver next year,” Capito told reporters.
“We believe he is absolutely ready to get into Formula 1,” the German insisted.
Sargeant will replace Canadian Nicholas Latifi at the team who are currently last in the standings.
A plan to get that super license
In line with Capito’s comments, Williams have set a plan to make sure Sargeant gets his super-license, as the team announced on Saturday that they plan put the American in their FW44 for FP1 in both the 2022 Mexican Grand Prix and the season finale at Abu Dhabi.
He will also drive in the Young Driver test at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi following the conclusion of his 2022 F2 season.
Williams sporting director, Sven Smeets, said in a team statement: “Logan showed a high level of understanding during his FP1 debut in Austin and provided useful feedback to help in the team’s preparations for the rest of the weekend.
“We are providing Logan further opportunities in Mexico and Abu Dhabi to integrate himself with the team trackside in both Free Practice sessions and the Young Driver Test as we work hard to support Logan in his efforts towards earning the FIA Super Licence,” Smeets added.
Sargeant added: “I’d like to start by saying thank you again to Williams Racing and Dorilton Motor Sports for giving me the opportunity to drive on home turf yesterday here at COTA.
“It was one of the most enjoyable moments of my career so far. I’m very grateful to be given further time in the FW44 at Mexico and Abu Dhabi. My aim is to make the most of every minute in the car and with the team to build on the progress I’ve made in Austin and throughout my time on the simulator at Grove.
“Of course, my focus is on finishing my Formula 2 season in Abu Dhabi in the best position possible, and I’m sure my time in the FW44 will keep me sharp and ready for the F2 finale,” Sargeant concluded.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, Additional reporting by GrandPrix247)