Sargeant makes plea in face of Vowles drastic change plan

Logan Sargeant has issued a passionate defence of his season after Williams boss James Vowles hinted he could be replaced mid-season. 

With Alex Albon signed up to a long-term deal, the identity of his team-mate for next season is still to be decided by Vowles, with big names like Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas linked with a switch. 

In his second season, Sargeant has sometimes struggled to match Albon, and has scored just one point in his 32 starts, compared to 29 for Albon over the same period, and is yet to out-qualify his team leader in a grand prix. 

Mercedes protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been tipped as potentially going 'on loan' to the team before stepping up to partner George Russell, and Vowles has hinted that a mid-season change could be a possibility, but that a decision was not close.

In Sunday's British GP, Sargeant, who fell just short of scoring a point after finishing 11th, has insisted he will continue to fight.

"I've had noise for I don't even know how long from every single direction, and at the end of the day, showing up to these weekends, I do my absolute best every single time," Sargeant told media including RacingNews365. 

"Everyone in the team is working hard, and I'm also here for myself. I want to prove to myself I can keep improving, and keep showing that  I can do it. 

"In my head, I know the true facts, and I know that I've been doing a good job this season with what I've had and that is what matters most to me. 

"I know I've been driving well with what I've had throughout the season. 

"If I look since Suzuka I'm really proud of the way I've showed up and kept trying to deliver even when I don't always have the car to deliver. 

"I'm a fighter, I'm going to fight no matter what the situation is. I'm going to fight to the end."

What did Vowles actually say?

Vowles has indicated a mid-season change was an option he would consider, but that he first wanted to ensure both Albon and Sargeant had access to equal equipment.

"Logan, all the way, through has been provided with the opportunity to retain his seat," Vowles told Sky Sports F1. 

"That is in his control, and I need performance that is at Alex's level, and I need him to be there day in, day out, fundamentally.

"We also have a responsibility as to why he hasn't been [close to Albon], where we have not provided the right equipment, simply because of attrition. 

"That has not been the case for several races now, but it is still on us, but when we have it, we need him right on it, pushing the team forward. 

"He knows that, he wants to perform and I want to give him every opportunity I can, but there will be a line in the sand where we have to make a decision for 2025, and maybe for something this year. 

"We will make a decision on it, but we are not there yet.

"My priority is, 'Let's sort out the car'. We've underperformed in that area, not Logan, not Alex. When we have a car at the right performance level, then let's assess what we are costing ourselves, if we are costing ourselves."