Williams boss Jost Capito says the team does not have a concrete back-up if Logan Sargeant cannot secure a Formula 1 superlicence to race next season.
Over the United States Grand Prix weekend, Capito announced F2 driver Sargeant would get the second Williams seat for 2023 so long as he can qualify for an FIA superlicence.
Sargeant, who has to acquire 40 points, is currently on 28 but two clean FP1 outings for Williams in Mexico and Abu Dhabi will get him up to 30, leaving him needing at least a sixth place finish in the F2 standings to obtain a superlicence.
Ahead of the F2 season finale in Abu Dhabi, Sargeant is third in the drivers’ championship but only lies 12 points ahead of seventh-placed Liam Lawson – putting him at risk of dropping below the required championship position.
This puts Williams in a potentially difficult situation, with no other drivers firmly in the frame to occupy the second seat alongside Alex Albon if Sargeant misses out on a superlicence.
Asked if Williams had a back-up plan in place, Capito said, as quoted by Motorsport.com: “Yeah, but not concrete, not a name.
“There will be drivers who do not get a contract. There are still very good drivers, and have the superlicence points on that, so that’s fine.”
A number of drivers were known to be on Williams’ radar to replace outgoing driver Nicholas Latifi, only for them to take up seats elsewhere on the grid.
Oscar Piastri was expected to join Williams on loan from Alpine before he signed for McLaren after the contract saga, while Nyck de Vries was an option after his impressive stand-in appearance at Monza, but AlphaTauri pounced on the opportunity to sign him with Pierre Gasly moving to Alpine.
Capito revealed Sargeant’s run of form in F2 since Silverstone convinced the team he was ready for F1, and ahead of the American’s latest practice runs, he said the extra milage intends to help him in his superlicence bid, as well as prepare him for next year.
“We want to prepare Logan as good as possible for next season,” said Capito. “That means he has to maximise the time in the car this year, so that’s why we gave give him three FP1.
“It gives him additional superlicence points. They’re for sure not hurting. And then he will also do the young driver test after Abu Dhabi.
“It’s part of the preparation now to get Logan in the best possible position for the beginning of next season.”
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