Formula 1 News: New rookie could replace Sargeant in 2024

(GMM) Logan Sargeant’s seat at Williams is still not safe for 2024, according to a former Formula 1 driver, but if his check clears he’ll drive.

The American rookie is the last of the current drivers whose contract for next season is still not signed – but he appears to still be supported by team boss James Vowles.

However, Sport1 reports that Vowles – the former strategy boss at Mercedes and still close to Toto Wolff – is keeping an open mind about Frederik Vesti.

Mercedes junior Vesti, 21, is facing a huge workload in Abu Dhabi this weekend, as the Formula 2 season concludes, and he also drives Mercedes’ F1 car in Friday practice – and then the post-GP tire test.

“Wolff now wants to move Vesti to Formula 1 after his plan to guide Mick Schumacher to Williams failed due to Vowles’ veto,” the German report said.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, however, says he’s surprised Williams would really consider Vesti – an unproven rookie – over Sargeant, who has steadily improved during his rookie year in F1.

“Sargeant has improved in the last few races after many previous mistakes,” he said. “Qualifying in Las Vegas was particularly impressive.

“That’s why I thought James Vowles would confirm him for 2024 in our interview. The fact that he hasn’t given his current driver that confidence is surprising to me.

“Especially as I don’t see any alternatives.”

When asked in the pre-event press conference for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi event if he was confident of being retained for 2024 following his Vegas qualifying result, Sargeant replied: “It’s a good question – honestly, I don’t know.

“But for me it’s just a case of taking it race by race. I feel like, from a driving point of view, everything has been getting much better in the past I don’t know however many rounds.

“I’m just trying to do my job to the best I can. And I think with how it’s been going recently, I don’t see any issues.”