Jul.31 (GMM) James Vowles isn’t ruling out a driver change at Williams even earlier than the 2024 season is full.
The staff boss this week confirmed hypothesis that Ferrari refugee Carlos Sainz has lastly signed a contract to maneuver to Williams for 2025 “and past”.
Sainz replaces the struggling American driver Logan Sargeant, 23.
“I need to thank Logan for all the pieces he has finished for the staff and know he’ll proceed to struggle arduous for us within the races forward,” Vowles mentioned in a media assertion.
Nonetheless, talking with the well-known Italian portal formu1a.uno, Vowles is definitely not ruling out a state of affairs the place Sargeant might in truth misplaced his cockpit after the summer season break.
“Logan has to earn his place at this staff, however that goes for everybody – identical to Alex (Albon) and identical to me,” he mentioned. “I undoubtedly don’t need to say he has a everlasting place at Williams.”
Sargeant has failed to attain a single level up to now in 2024, while including pressure to Williams’ finances by means of crash harm.
On the identical time, Vowles remains to be shut together with his former boss, Toto Wolff, and the pair could also be planning to provide Kimi Antonelli some racing expertise at Williams this 12 months earlier than the 17-year-old’s anticipated full-time debut for Mercedes in 2025.
“It’s not like Toto is forcing him on us, no,” Vowles, whose Grove based mostly staff is powered by Mercedes engines, mentioned when requested in regards to the younger Italian driver.
“To be sincere, I’d relatively give Logan the prospect to achieve success. But when we are able to make the automotive sooner, and we are going to make it sooner, then I’ve a duty to verify we end as excessive within the championship as potential.
“If Logan can ship at that time, that’s nice. If he doesn’t, then I’ve to rethink my choices.”
