Formula 1: Why one driver will be excited for the near future
After the struggles with which Williams started the 2023 Formula 1 season, Logan Sargeant will be quite excited for what is to come.
Coming into the Canadian Grand Prix, Williams introduced one of the largest upgrade packages on the Formula 1 grid this season. Unfortunately, they were only able to fit the new upgrades onto Alex Albon’s car.
According to RACER.com, the specifications of the upgrade included “a new floor and sidepods”, plus a new “engine cover and halo”. Further “changes to the rear suspension, rear brake ducts and rear wing endplates” were also present on Albon’s car.
The developments were said to be “solely focused on adding downforce rather than a change of direction” in car design.
The new upgrades really proved their worth this weekend and came alive for Albon on Saturday. The 27-year-old was one of the fastest drivers in qualifying, and he was the only driver to record a lap time under 1:19.00 in Q2. It was quite unfortunate that he was unable to finish Q3, given the prospects of his starting grid position.
Logan Sargeant will be highly anticipating these upgrades in an effort to turn a slow start to his rookie Formula 1 season into some quick success.
The greatest improvement to the FW45 was not the car’s single-lap pace but its overall race pace. Albon’s P7 finish on Sunday gave some good indications of what Williams can do going forward. Sargeant will definitely be studying Albon’s performance, as he would like to hit the ground running once the upgrades are on his car.
With six points being awarded to Williams this weekend, the duo of Albon and Sargeant could cause quite a competition in the constructor standings going forward. Williams have climbed out of last place, and they could aim to catch McLaren and maybe even Alpine by the end of the season.
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With Sargeant still being a rookie, his potential for success in a Williams could be of great value. The Grove-based team have struggled mightily in recent seasons, and the American being a part of a resurgence would be very meaningful. A first ever points finish for the 22-year-old could be coming rather soon.