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via Reuters

via Reuters

There have been 58 American drivers in F1, yes, you heard that right! While only two of them have won world championships – Mario Andretti and Phil Hill. Fans hailing from the USA would have to wait 15 long years to see an American driver in a full-time seat at the pinnacle of motorsport.

But when Logan Sargeant arrived at Williams, the pressure was on the hometown hero to fulfill the expectations of an ever-increasing American audience. While the rookie’s first season got off to a rough start, he’s finally found his groove. And after finishing behind George Russell and Oscar Piastri in the third practice session of the Las Vegas GP, the American fans are rejoicing!

via Getty

When the proceedings began in Sin City, they were immediately brought to a standstill by the dislodged water valve cover which caused immense structural damage to Carlos Sainz’s SF23. This meant that FP1 would not resume and we got an extended FP2 instead. However, the star of the show before qualifying is always FP3, because that’s when we get the closest sense of which team has got it together before the set-ups are locked for the weekend.

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And when we say no one expected Williams to be in the mix with McLaren and Mercedes, we mean it! While most were struggling with grip in the earlier laps, things got dramatic in the final few minutes of FP3.

Logan Sargeant sidelines Alex Albon to shock American fans at the Las Vegas GP

The Williams were looking strong under the Strip’s lights, but it all came undone when Alex Albon had a run-in with the barriers – causing his rear tire to pop out of the FW45. This triggered a red flag, meaning the teams would get five fewer minutes of run-time in the last practice session.

As a result, George Russell topped the session with a 1:34:093s, followed by Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant, who managed to escape his teammate’s fate. The fans were delighted to see their American challenger on the frontline, and they went wild under a Reddit post about the FP3 results!

“The British, the Aussie, and the American” – This user pointed out the battle of the rookies from three leading Nations in the sport. But who will the Vegas slot machine favor in Qualifying?

“I’m ok with this finishing order after everything that’s gone on this weekend.” – F1’s return to Sin City after 40 long years has not been as smooth sailing as the organizers or fans would have imagined, but at least the Sargeant army is delighted about the on-track shenanigans.

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“Two rookies in the top 3 of a near full length FP3? I’m here for that.” – Sargeant finds himself in a similar spot to where Russell was when he was a rookie, and if the Mercedes driver’s success is any indicator of the American’s future, it’s going to be a bright one!

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“The future of F1” – This Redditor claimed the trio on the top of the timing sheets were the drivers who were most likely to carry the baton forward. While this rings a bell with Russell and Piastri, Sargeant still has a lot to prove.

“Qualifying is gonna be exciting if it’s anything like FP3.” – FP1 was bizarre, FP2 was longer than usual and FP3 gave us a lot of drama and unexpected heroes. With the qualifying show on the road soon, fans are in for a thrilling weekend in Nevada.

“You love to see it. He’s finally getting his season together, albon looked pretty (more) like Sargeant than Sarge” – This user alluded to the fact that, in a session where Alex Albon crashed into the barriers much like Logan Sargeant has done in previous races, the Williams‘ rookie outshined his in-form teammate.

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It’s safe to say the Las Vegas GP weekend has given us more action before Qualifying has even started than any other race. If Free Practice 3 is any indicator of what Sin City’s Street Circuit has in store for us, we’re in for a great time! Stay tuned for more.