With only 20 drivers on the F1 grid at any given time, it would be fair to assume that all of them would be on a similar level. But there are some drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, etc, who are considered being a cut above the rest. So, the obvious question is; what makes these drivers better than others? Well, the ex-Ferrari boss, Peter Windsor, recently shed light on one of those aspects in his recent Live Chat on YouTube as he gave Logan Sergeant something to learn from the reigning world champion.
The last two races in Melbourne and Japan exposed a weakness in the Williams Formula 1 team. It’s got to do with their car production processes and the failure to bring about a spare chassis to these races. And the 2 heavy crashes in Japan have left the team in crisis mode. And while Alex Albon’s crash on the opening lap of the race was through no fault of his own, Logan Sargeant’s crash in the free practice session revealed a weakness of the American driver. He struggled to control the understeer in turn 7 as he ran wide and dropped his tires on the grass, resulting in the crash.
This was something that came up during Windsor’s Live Chat when a fan asked about Max Verstappen’s ability to control understeer throughout the race. Peter highlighted this as an ability all great drivers have. Even when they are struggling with understeer or oversteer, it would be hard to tell just by looking because they manage the car’s weakness so well.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“He often does that, doesn’t he?“ Windsor said about Verstappen’s ability to mask understeer. “He gets the car nice and straight and never plays around with the exits at all. Logan Sergeant take note. And that was just classic Max Verstappen and that is the way he does handle understeer. He just makes sure he’s got his rotation still, and he gets that rotation by just playing around with the amount of steering lock against brake pedal pressure he’s got just to keep the nose tucked in gets the rotation then he goes it was beautiful to watch.”
Despite his underwhelming 2023 season, Williams decided to give another chance to Logan Sargeant in 2024, citing the potential he has to improve as a driver. However, the American can soon find himself replaced by the driver who has been touted as the next Max Verstappen of Formula 1.
Kimi Antonelli can take Logan Sargeant’s seat in 2025
Sargeant’s struggle from 2023 has continued this season, with the American failing to score any points in four races so far. And Williams might not be as forgiving as they were last year. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ junior prodigy, who is currently doing well in his first Formula 2 campaign has been hyped for an F1 promotion in 2025. At just 17 years old, the young Italian has made his presence felt in the Formula world, being compared to Max Verstappen when the Dutchman made his debut in F1.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
#F1 Toto Wolff & James Vowels have supposedly made an agreement that if Max Verstappen were to join Mercedes in 2025, Kimi Antonelli will replace Logan Sargeant at Williams.
– Sargeants Contract EXPIRES this year & Alex Albon ‘25. Sargeant CAN’T save his seat😐 pic.twitter.com/uP1oJKQHpO
— William Blackwell Network (@WBNetwork72) March 9, 2024
However, Mercedes might want to loan Kimi to a customer team for a season or two before he is ready to make the step up, similar to what happened with George Russell. And Williams seems to be the only realistic option for Mercedes as McLaren is already locked in with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. So it won’t be a stretch to say that Logan Sargeant’s chances for getting another extension with Williams for 2025 might already be over.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What are your thoughts on the matter? Will Toto Wolff play it safe and loan Kimi Antonelli to Williams? Or will he go bold and bring in Kimi as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton?
READ MORE: F1 Rumor: Carlos Sainz to Mercedes Nearly a Done Deal, Announcement To Follow Soon