Williams group principal James Vowles nonetheless hasn’t dismissed a mid-season change to the outfit’s driver line-up, as Logan Sargeant’s tenure stays in jeopardy.
Regardless of a rookie season within the sport marked by a string of expensive crashes and a single championship level on the board, Sargeant was handed a sophomore yr in F1 with Williams.
However his outcomes have remained inconsistent and underwhelming, with far too little shiny spots, whereas he has additionally struggled to slender his efficiency hole to Williams teammate Alex Albon.
Sadly, Sargeant’s days in F1 seem numbered, with the one query being whether or not the 23-year-old will end this yr’s marketing campaign or succumb to a mid-season exit.
“We’re regularly evaluating it,” Vowles mentioned final weekend at Silverstone, quoted by RACER.
“What we’ve mentioned to Logan is it’s a meritocracy. You need to ensure you earn your home within the sport constantly. That’s been the identical message that has been for 18 months actually for him. And we’re open-minded to issues.”
Nonetheless, Vowles additionally acknowledged that Williams itself is not innocent.
“What I’ve mentioned earlier than and I’ve maintained right this moment, is that our automobile — and it is a accountability on my shoulders and the group — isn’t fast sufficient.
“It’s not a driver situation we endure from right this moment. We’ve merely been out-developed and we have now to ensure we speed up that course of.”
Whereas the chances of a mid-season driver change on the Grove-based outfit have elevated, the seek for Sargeant’s substitute for 2025 can also be ongoing.
Outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz stays the dream goal for Williams, however Vowles suggests a call will not be rushed.
“I’ll return to, he’s a world class driver,” the Briton mentioned, commenting on the gifted Spaniard. “So the choice isn’t imminent. It’s not right this moment that we have to make it.
“However what I’ve mentioned all alongside is definitely the timeline is much less essential to me. What’s extra essential is that no matter choice we come to or the driving force involves, it’s about forging a long-term relationship with one another — i.e. each see the journey we’re on and wish that to be part of their lives.
Vowles expects a decision throughout F1’s upcoming summer season break.
“I’m pretty positive you’ll see all this cleared up earlier than we get to September,” he added. That’s the traditional time.
“Should you take a look at a standard routine, we’re truly simply now going again into what’s a standard schedule the place August is spent doing contracts. However I’m fairly positive you’ll discover all of it cemented by then.”
Whereas Sainz is the highest goal, Vowles hints at a Plan B – and even C!
“Essentially, sure ,” he mentioned. “Easy reply to it … I believe we’re on about Y or Z by now, simply to be clear.
“However no, there’s a whole lot of transferring elements to it. Greater than the world will see, however it should all make sense, I believe, as soon as it followers out.”
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