Logan Sargeant set to become America’s first Formula One driver since 2015

Logan Sargeant is poised to become America’s first Formula One driver since 2015 after being handed a seat at Williams next year – if he can secure the required amount of Super License points in F2’s season finale. 

The 21-year-old Florida native drove for Williams in first practice ahead of F1’s US Grand Prix on Friday, and his weekend got even better just hours later with the news about 2023.

Williams’ plans for next season were confirmed by team principal Jost Capito on Saturday morning, and Sargeant will be on the grid if he can finish the F2 season strong in Abu Dhabi next month.

Logan Sargeant looks set to become America’s first Formula One driver since 2015

The Williams talent just needs to finish in the top five of the F2 championship this season

As it stands, Sargeant completed 21 penalty-free laps in Friday’s F1 practice session to ensure that he has driven the 100km required for an extra Super License point, and two further outings – which he is expected to be given – will allow him to end the F2 season in sixth place and still gain his license.

As it stands with his current F1 mileage, he needs to finish in the top five of the F2 leaderboard – and he is currently third, but just nine points ahead of sixth.

A seat has opened up at Williams after the departure of Canadian Nicholas Latifi was announced, and in huge news for American F1 fans, Sargeant looks well-placed to be on the grid come the start of next season.

There has not been a US driver in the sport since 2015, when Alexander Rossi participated in five races.

The last American to win a race – incredibly – was in 1978, when Mario Andretti won the Dutch Grand Prix on his way to securing the drivers’ championship that year.

Prior to that, Phil Hill is the only other American world champion, earning his own title in 1961.