Williams opt for Chinese GP 'experiment' with Sargeant

Williams has decided to "experiment" with Logan Sargeant for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Sargeant has endured a difficult weekend to date at the Shanghai International Circuit, qualifying at the back for the grid for the sprint and grand prix.

In qualifying for the 56-lap race, Sargeant finished 0.6s slower than the car ahead of him in RB's Yuki Tsunoda.

Being so far off the pace, the team has taken the decision to start the American driver from the pit lane which Williams claims "enables us the opportunity to experiment with the setup and learn more about the car ahead of another upcoming sprint event in Miami".

Specifically, Williams has changed the front wing/nose assembly, rear wing gurney and setup of the suspension.

Following qualifying, Sargeant said he had felt "disconnected". Asked by RacingNews365 to explain, he replied: "It's the car with the track, and then, of course, when it's not easy to drive, it makes you more disconnected with the car as well. It works both ways.

"It's been difficult trying to lean on the car. It just isn't happy, and it's been a fight. It's been tough to put a lap together."

Indicating the difficulties were more track-specific, he added: "We've tried many things now over the past two days, and it's not getting any easier."

Suggesting the grip was on a knife-edge, he said: "Over the bumps in the high speed, it is so difficult. That picked up a lot compared to the previous three runs we'd done, so that was quite a surprise."