James Vowles: Logan Sargeant must 'step it up' in 2024

Williams team principal James Vowles makes clear that improvement is necessary from Logan Sargeant this year.

Excluding the driver merry-go-round at AlphaTauri last year, Williams was among the only teams to generate intrigue in the market. More specifically, Logan Sargeant became a scrutinised figure as the season progressed.

Despite the FW45 proving one of the best cars made in Grove for some time, only one driver consistently secured points in 2023.

It was Alex Albon who regularly put the team in contention for top-10 results. Meanwhile, his young teammate was usually a few steps behind.

This is not necessarily anything out of the ordinary.

Rookies in Formula 1 typically take some time to get up to speed. A lack of testing further compounds this fact.

However, there is no denying that Sargeant did not achieve the results his machinery was capable of.

For a team fighting in a fiercely competitive midfield, having two drivers that can regularly score points is essential.

With Aston Martin and McLaren cementing themselves at the front, F1 is becoming increasingly cut-throat on those in the lower midfield.

Because of this, James Vowles has outlined that progress is essential this season:

“He knows what he was doing last year, that’s not fit for purpose anymore,” he told F1.

“We have to step it up. 

“He had to be the surprise of the season and use the knowledge base that he spent 12 months gathering to good effect.”

Now or never for Sargeant

The Williams team boss went on to elaborate that Sargeant is already showing “confidence” that he can take this desired step.

Whilst the American received something of a grace period last season, the stakes have risen for 2024.

Considering the near-instant pace shown by Liam Lawson last season, alongside the plethora of exciting talents in Formula 2, there will be no excuses if Sargeant cannot match his teammate.

The 23-year-old’s junior career is certainly impressive and more than justified his first F1 contract.

However, only performances here and now can guarantee him a contract for 2025.

James Vowles exercised tremendous patience and understanding last year, but it would be a mistake to forget the former Mercedes engineer is more than capable of being ruthless when necessary.

Sargeant can begin to repay his team principal’s faith with a strong opener in Bahrain this weekend.