Pro ShotsLogan Sargeant
NOS Sport•vrijdag, 13:19
Joost Smedema
editor Formula 1 in Suzuka
Joost Smedema
editor Formula 1 in Suzuka
“I’ve spoken to him a lot, at times like this you have to keep a driver close to you, because you saddle someone with a difficult situation,” says team boss James Vowles in Japan about the choice to pass Sargeant in Australia.
First choice Albon drove around there in Sargeant’s car, because he had seriously damaged his own car in a crash during training. A spare chassis was not available from Williams. The team, which had been struggling for years, was unable to complete a third car before the start of the season.
Vowles decided that Sargeant should give up his car. Not a wonderful choice. Albon has beaten Sargeant in every qualification since the beginning of last season. Both are still scoreless this year, but the 2023 points tally leaves little room for doubt: 27 to 1.
Pro ShotsAlex Albon as Logan Sargeant
It was nevertheless painful for the passed Sargeant. “Based on Alex’s results, I understand. But this year the differences are small,” says the American, who traveled from Australia to Bali and retreated “to my own little world, far away from Formula 1.”
“The funny thing is that psychologically I’m perhaps in a better position now. After a week away you look at it differently, it gives a different perspective. I had a solid start to the season. Friday in Melbourne was good and I hoped to continue that trend. I will continue with that attitude, I am close to where I want to be.”
Tell the truth when making a hard decision, which sometimes improves the relationship.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team boss
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who worked with his counterpart at Williams Vowles for almost a decade, can empathize with his former colleague. “If you think from the driver’s perspective, you have the feeling that it is not right. But James represents a huge organization with shareholders, sponsors and investors.”
“He must achieve the maximum result in every race. If he does not succeed, it could cost tens of millions and the consequences will be major in the long term.”
Pro ShotsJames Vowles
“When I asked Alain Prost (four-time world champion, ed.) at the beginning of my career what caused the most resentment between drivers and team management, he said: ‘A lack of transparency. In situations where we didn’t know exactly what was going on was and why certain decisions were made.”
“I have always tried to prevent that at Mercedes, James has experienced it. Sometimes the truth is hard and difficult to swallow. But as a team boss you have to make the decision and confront your driver, or any employee, with it. Sometimes a relationship is better because you tell the truth and can trust each other.”
NOS
Vowles quickly pulled the band-aid off for Sargeant in Australia and kept in close contact, including a phone call late Thursday evening. “Logan made a very strong impression this week. He wants to go for it, without feeling that he has to prove himself to the world.”
And yet, as if the damage had not already been done, Sargeant hit the tires hard during the first free practice in Suzuka.
NOS/Joost Smedema
NOS/Joost Smedema
Sargeant’s car is taken away
Sargeant could have shot himself in the foot with that. Just like during the first three GPs, Williams does not have a spare chassis. Vowles expects that this will only be ready at the Grand Prix of Miami (early May).
Was Sargeant too eager to prove himself? “The crash did not happen because he was too eager, Logan had not fully assessed his position on the track and therefore ended up in the grass. I did not see any driver who wanted to take revenge for what happened to him in Melbourne.”
AFPLogan Sargeant in action at Suzuka
But what happens if Albon’s car cannot be on the starting grid again? Should Sargeant make way again? The American reacts testily. He is done with questions about the forced substitution.
“We haven’t talked about it. I haven’t thought about it. I assume everything will go well.”
Sargeant searches for words to describe his feeling. He pauses and then stops: “I’m done for this weekend, that’s all I can say.”
