Haas is not the only Formula 1 team that still has to confirm a driver for 2023. Williams is also looking at all options in the final spurt of the season, especially in case Plan A doesn’t work out. For Mick Schumacher, this could open a door and keep the German in Formula 1.
At Williams, the intended solution for Nicholas Latifi’s successor is the American Logan Sargeant. The Formula 2 driver will have the opportunity to prove himself in free practice in both Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
They want to prepare him “as well as possible” for the pinnacle, team boss Jost Capito told the Dutch website formule1.nl:
“That means he has to spend as much time as possible in the car, so we’ll give him three free practices.”
‘Plan A’ – Logan Sargeant
After three season in F3, Sargeant made his FIA Formula 2 Championship debut in the penultimate round of the 2021 season with HWA Racelab where he finished the first race in 16th, but retired in the second sprint due to a mechanical problem. The American ended the aborted feature race in 14th position.
For 2022, Sargeant was announced to be driving for Carlin alongside New Zealander Liam Lawson, eventually becoming the first American driver to win a Formula 2 race when he won the feature Race at the British Grand Prix in July.
Later that month Sargeant won the Austria F2 feature race after two drivers in front of the American driver were penalized after the chequered flag.
Currently the American is third in the drivers championship with 135 points.
Williams aims to boost Logan super license points
The stints in Formula 1 are also important for Sargeant to get the necessary super licence in the first place. For every 100 kilometres driven in Formula 1, he receives one point for the super licence.
He gets additional points depending on his performance in the Formula 2 championship. Since he is currently in third place in the drivers’ standings, the award should only be a formality in the end. However, the Williams scenario is not yet completely watertight.
Mick might get a lifeline
“That’s why the Formula 1 racing team has been thinking about Plan B for a long time, there will be drivers who will not get a contract,” the Williams team boss Jost Capito adds.
“These are also very good drivers who have a super licence, that will be fine.”
Although Jost Capito did not name any names, Mick Schumacher is likely to be in the running as a potential driver for Williams.
The 23-year-old is still competing for a contract with Haas in the remaining races, which, according to team boss Günther Steiner, will only be given to him if he achieves something tangible. Recent results suggest that the German is gone from the Haas team soon.
In addition to Schumacher, Daniel Ricciardo will also leave Formula 1 on a potentially permanent sabbatical.
MORE F1 NEWS: Brundle ‘apology’ from Brad Pitt snub
