Williams boss Jost Capito discusses potential options in case Logan Sargeant misses out on F1 super license

If all goes well for him, Logan Sargeant should be sitting in the Williams seat alongside Alex Albon in 2023. The team have announced their intention towards that, and it is part of the reason why they are giving him so many practice sessions. But the practice sessions also have another reason – super license points.

See, to be eligible for a seat in Formula 1, Logan Sargeant needs a minimum of 40 super license points, and he currently has 28. Williams must prepare for all possibilities, and him missing out on the super license is still a possibility, even if it would take a disaster for that to occur. Anything is possible in sport.

Mick Schumacher is another possible candidate, and when asked by Motorsport-Magazin.com if the team held discussions with him, Jost Capito replied: “We have dealt with all those who come into question. But it hasn’t yet been decided whether Mick will stay at Haas or not. It would not have been possible to do that yet.” adding that anyone with a super license and experience is a candidate. But what can the team do to help Sargeant get the super license?

Driving at least 100 km in a free practice session will grant you one extra super license point, but he missed out on that in Mexico due to the numerous red flags. But there are more chances: he is going to drive FP2 in Brazil, FP1 in Abu Dhabi, and then take the 2022 Young Driver test too. If all goes well in those two sessions, that should yield him two extra points, bringing his total to 30 points.

Also Read: “I already know, he will be very fast,” Alex Albon shows his faith in future teammate Logan Sargeant

Why did Williams go for Logan Sargeant?

When asked why Williams are taking this ‘risk’ with a rookie, Jost Capito reiterated his confidence in the American driver: “First and foremost his development. If you compare the qualifying results with those of his teammates, then he was always better in qualifying – even against a Piastri. That shows that his speed is there.“

And because the speed is there, it’s possible for the team to work on the other important aspects more easily: “Making a fast driver reliable is possible. Making a reliable driver who is slow fast – that’s not possible. As with the car, it’s exactly the same. He has to learn. He made it through, he was really good as a rookie in Formula 2, won races and was always good in qualifying. When he’s with us at the Academy, he has to get into Formula 1 quickly and show what he can do and learn there.”

Going into Abu Dhabi, Logan Sargeant is third in F2, but the gap down to Liam Lawson in 7th place is only 12 points, and the gap down to Frederik Vesti in 8th a further 6 points. If he completes 100km in each of the FPs, and if he has a penalty free-weekend in Abu Dhabi, then he would already be at 32 super license points.

In this situation, he can finish 7th in the championship and still get the required points, but there is a maximum of 39 points on offer in Abu Dhabi, so his 12-point cushion is certainly not very comfortable. The weekend must be flawless – even a single mistake can be fatal in the fight for his F1 seat.

Also Read: ‘I like my chances’: Logan Sargeant backs himself to secure super license despite missing out on extra point in Mexico

Also Read: Jost Capito reveals Williams is aware why they are ‘plumb last’ in the Constructors Championship

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