In Melbourne, Sargeant was forced to give up his seat for Alex Albon after the Thai driver had an accident during practice at Albert Park. This led to the public revelation that Williams team boss James Vowles did not ensure his team had an extra chassis available.
As a result, the team’s main driver took over Sargeant’s car. The damaged chassis was then flown to Grove, where the team repaired it in time for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. However, Sargeant had a big crash during FP1 on Friday.
Sargeant commented on the incident, stating: “After a week off, I came into this round feeling more refreshed and prepared than ever. So, it’s not about confidence. I was a bit disappointed with myself today, but it had nothing to do with that. It was just a visual error that I will learn from and move on.”
Sargeant, known for his frequent accidents, is in F1 only because his boss Vowles believes in him for some reason, despite the abundance of talented young drivers on the sidelines of the sport who deserve a chance.
Following Sargeant’s crash at the venue in September 2023, Vowles commented: “As we approach the end of the year within the cost cap, it’s important not to produce excess parts. We had more wear than expected, to be fair. This means we will have to divert attention from other areas to produce more spare parts before the end of the year.” This sheds light on how Sargeant’s recklessness affected the production of his 2024 car, but they still kept him as a driver.
During the team principal’s press conference held by the FIA on Friday, Vowles addressed the reporters after another embarrassing session for Williams. He stated: “The damage to the chassis is quite significant. Fortunately, the chassis itself is fine, but practically everything else is not. The suspension on all sides is damaged, the gearbox is cracked, and there is substantial damage.”
Regarding Sargeant’s second costly mistake on track, Vowles explained: “At the top of the hill, he struggled to see his position on the track. It seems he didn’t realize where he was in relation to the grass on the outside and ended up putting a wheel on the grass.”
The Williams F1 team principal then went on to explain Sargeant’s dilemma: “I have been talking to him throughout the week and even in the past few weeks, because it is crucial to keep close contact with a driver in this situation. We put him in a difficult position, not by his fault.
“However, I must say he has maintained a positive mindset this week and even last night, when I spoke to him around 9 or 10 at night. He remains strong and is looking forward to getting back in the car, but not with the intention of proving anything to the world. It’s just his usual approach.”
Vowles then shared his assessment of Sargeant’s recent mistake: “The error you witnessed here was not a result of the driver exceeding the limit. It was a different kind of mistake, frustrating indeed, because it didn’t happen at the car’s limit. There was more potential to recover.
“He simply lost track of the car’s position on the track, contrary to his expectations. Therefore, I don’t believe his performance is indicative of someone who hasn’t driven in Melbourne. It’s more than just a situation that could have happened at any time,” Vowles explained on behalf of his driver.
While attention is focused on Sargeant and Albon prone to accidents, they are overshadowing the real issue at hand – the sorry state of the Williams F1 team under the leadership of Vowles. This unfortunate circumstance also distracts from the fact that ‘The Man of Many Words’ failed to ensure that his team was ready for the 2024 F1 season.
Furthermore, the news is not favorable for Williams and its drivers, as Vowles revealed the extent of his miscalculation: “I anticipate that the third chassis will not be available until Miami, which is a significant delay.
“In terms of chassis, if we dedicate all our resources and efforts to it, it would take approximately eight to ten weeks to complete one, from the initial stages to the final product. This estimate applies to the third chassis.
“Of course, the process takes longer for the first ones, as we familiarize ourselves with it. However, it is important to note that our entire organization is not solely focused on this task. We are simultaneously working on spare parts, upgrades, and maintaining workflow.
“At this stage, there is a tremendous amount of work being done within the organization. It was never our intention to be without three chassis. Our plan was to have all three ready at the beginning of the year.
“The current situation is the result of an overwhelming workload within the system, caused by the complexity of this car and the high volume of tasks we were trying to accomplish,” Vowles concluded.
Vowles stated: “The magnitude of this in terms of complexity is immense. I mean, the structure consists of numerous components that need to be assembled simultaneously.”
The weather conditions favored Williams in Suzuka on Friday. Due to the severe chassis damage caused by Sargeant during FP2, there was no opportunity for repairs, resulting in the driver being just a spectator during a rain-soaked session with minimal time on track. Essentially, the lack of practice also affected his competitors.
Suzuka is a traditional race track that severely penalizes mistakes, as demonstrated on Friday. The fact that this occurred at the beginning of the race weekend implies that, despite completing a full F1 season, Sargeant is still struggling. He has proven unsuccessful in the top league.
As dedicated F1 enthusiasts, all we can do for Logan is hope and pray that he avoids any damage until Vowles and the Williams team realize their mistakes. (Reported by Agnes Carlier from Suzuka)
FP1 was briefly interrupted after this accident involving Logan Sargeant #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/dPN5ek6CBl
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2024
© 2024
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