Williams driver Logan Sargeant blew team boss James Vowles away with what he did in one of the team’s meetings in Australia.
Sargeant had to give up his car to Alex Albon because Williams didn’t have a spare after the latter’s accident FP1 accident.
And speaking on The Vowles Verdict, the former Mercedes strategist offered insight into the American’s reaction behind the scenes.
Albon broke the chassis of his FW46 career when he hit the wall twice at turn six during the opening practice session.
Much to the disbelief of Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz, Williams didn’t have a back-up with them in Australia.
This was a consequence of a ‘shocking’ winter where Vowles overhauled the team’s processes, causing significant delays.
With only car available, he elected to run Albon and instructed Sargeant to step aside.
Martin Brundle called the decision a ‘no-brainer’ after the Thai driver scored 27 of the team’s 28 points last season.
Albon didn’t manage to get Williams on the board for the season, finishing the Grand Prix in 11th place.
Vowles is optimistic that the team will be able to fix the Thai driver’s chassis in time for the next race in Japan after transporting it back to their Grove base.
James Vowles recalls Logan Sargeant ‘maturity’ at Australian Grand Prix
Vowles revealed that, despite the disappointment of being sidelined, Sargeant proactively helped the team ahead of the race.
The Englishman says it was ‘incredible’ to see the second-year driver recognise his wider responsibility.
He said: “He was in the strategy meeting on Sunday morning explaining what he felt on the FP2 long run and how to get over certain tyre issues that we were facing.
“That’s the role of someone that is very much a part of a team – something bigger than themselves.
“It was incredible just to see the maturity he had in that circumstance.”
Will Sargeant lose his Williams seat?
Speaking before the campaign got underway, Vowles told Sargeant he needed to be the ‘surprise of the season’ to keep his drive for 2025.
But the call he made in Melbourne appears to indicate Williams’ limited faith in his capacity to score points.
Journalist Rebecca Clancy called the situation a ‘mess’ and says ‘nobody thinks’ Sargeant should be racing in F1.
Another believes there’s ‘every chance’ that Williams will make a change to their line-up for next year.
Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli is a leading contender if a vacancy opens up.
Vowles believes he’s destined to race at the top level, but isn’t yet sure if he’ll be the man to give him an opportunity.
Williams struck a similar arrangement with the Silver Arrows to sign George Russell, and he spent three years with the team before Toto Wolff called him up.
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