American Formula 2 driver Logan Sargeant will drive for Williams during the opening practice session of this year’s U.S. Grand Prix.
Sargeant is a Williams Academy driver and is currently third in the F2 championship on two wins.
He will make his F1 debut in Nicholas Latifi‘s car in the opening practice session at the Circuit of the Americas on Oct. 21 before handing the car back to Latifi for the rest of the weekend.
Under new regulations to offer track time to rookie drivers, each permanent F1 driver has to sacrifice at least one practice session this season to a driver with experience in two of fewer grands prix.
“I’m super excited to be given this opportunity to drive my first free practice in Austin,” Sargeant said. “To be given the chance at the US Grand Prix is something extremely special to me.
“A massive thank you to Williams for putting the trust and belief in me to do a good job. The goal for me will be to learn as much as possible in the new generation of cars. I’m looking forward to making the most of this experience and really enjoying it.”
Sven Smeets, Williams sporting director, added: “Logan has demonstrated a great level of ability and maturity so far this season through his accomplishments both on and off the track. He’s delivered race winning performances in Formula 2 matched by his hard work during simulator sessions.
“It felt only right to reward these achievements with the opportunity for him to take part in a free practice session at Austin. We’re looking forward to seeing him get behind the wheel of the FW44 and seeing how his performance and feedback help the team’s preparations for the race in Austin.”
After an active week in the F1 driver market, Sargeant has been linked to a full-time drive at Williams next year but would need to finish fifth or higher in F2 this year to secure the necessary qualifying points to secure an F1 superlicence. Even with a superlicence in place, he would have to be picked above the likes of Nyck De Vries, who is a Formula 2 and Formula E champion and one of the front-runners for the seat.
An American has not driven in an F1 race since Alexander Rossi at Manor in 2015.
