Williams reveal chassis condition after Sargeant's Japan crash

Williams team principal James Vowles has revealed that Logan Sargeant's chassis has survived his heavy FP1 crash in Japan.

However, Vowles highlighted that other components have suffered significant damage.

Sargeant crashed at Turn 7 midway through the opening practice session after dipping a tyre onto the grass.

It was the second heavy impact for Williams in two weeks after Alex Albon hit the wall during the opening practice session last time out in Australia.

The crash at Albert Park resulted in damage to Albon's chassis, prompting the team to hand Sargeant's car over to Albon for the remainder of the weekend.

Sargeant is driving the repaired tub at Suzuka but the crash sparked fears that the component could have been damaged once again.

However, speaking to media including RacingNews365, Vowles confirmed that it is not the case.

“It [the damage] is pretty significant,” he said. “The chassis is okay, fortunately.

“But I would say pretty much everything else isn't. So [the] suspension, [the] gearbox [have] big damage.”

'Crash not born out of Melbourne situation'

When asked if Sargeant is expected to return to the cockpit for FP2, Vowles added: “It's going to be difficult.

“Obviously we're doing our utmost trying to get the car back out there again, but the damage is extensive, so it will take a while.”

Vowles denied that Sargeant's crash was a result of him attempting to prove a point after being sidelined in Australia.

“It's at the top of the brow of the hill there, he struggled to see where his positioning was on track,” Vowles detailed.

“So it fundamentally looks like he didn't quite realise where he was with where the grass was on the outside and put a wheel on the grass.

“What you saw here wasn't a driver making a mistake because I think they were pushing to the limits.

“It's a very different type of mistake, a frustrating one by all accounts because it wasn't on the limit of what the car could do.

“There was far more turning potential and he just didn't know where the car was on track relative to where he expected it to be.

“So I don't think you're seeing now the reaction of someone that wasn't driving in Melbourne.”