Sargeant: his beginnings in F1 and the difficult adaptation of young American drivers
In a recent interview with RacingNews365, Logan Sargeant talks about his learning as a newcomer in F1, what he thinks about his first Grand Prix races, and his difficult adaptation to Europe in his youth.
“To be honest, I am ahead of what I hoped to be at this stage, and I just have to continue building from where I am. But there is still a lot to improve,” said rookie Logan Sargeant, fresh off his years in Formula 2 and 3, who recently joined the Williams team.
(In terms of rhythm, I feel fast, and I feel like I always have the opportunity to do something good in qualifying and even in the race […] it’s always nice to know that the speed is there), added the rookie.
Before his accident with Nyck de Vries in Australia, Sargeant had finished his first two races, including a impressive 12th place at the Sakhir circuit to start off the season. Promising beginnings for the American who honed his skills on lower-level circuits within European teams.
Adaptation « really difficult »
However, he explains that everything hasn’t been easy for him, especially his adaptation across the Atlantic. The native of Fort Lauderdale described this change as truly difficult. Someone who left his native Florida at the age of 12 to pursue his Formula 1 dream and join karting competitions in Europe, he talks about the homesickness he sometimes experienced: “You have to make this decision early. You leave home, you leave your friends and family. You sometimes feel lonely and it’s mentally tough.”
Also, traveling to Europe is expensive for young American drivers and their families. It is for these reasons that they opt for more local disciplines such as IndyCar or Nascar, for example. But Formula 1 has experienced a resurgence in popularity in the United States recently, and Sargeant states that young Americans are increasingly inclined to cross the Atlantic for Formula 1.
(I) I think that Formula 1 is clearly much more well-known in America now, so it’s positive, and I just feel like it’s generally moving in the right direction. (F), rejoiced the 22-year-old Williams driver.
Sargeant is the first American to compete in F1 since Alexander Rossi in 2015. Scott Speed is the only other to have had a seat in F1 in the last 30 years.
