- Logan Sargeant finished bottom of the permanent drivers on the 2022 grid
- He has been given a second year after showing promise in the second half
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Logan Sargeant will be back on the Formula 1 grid for the 2024 season after being backed with a new contract by Williams – despite picking up just a single point in his rookie year.
The American driver, 22, has had plenty of critics in recent months, ending his first year in the sport bottom of the championship – barring Nyck De Vries, who was dropped after just 10 races – and 26 points behind his teammate Alex Albon.
There had been speculation over whether Sargeant could be replaced by Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire, but Williams team principal James Vowles has opted to stick with his man and give him a second year behind the wheel.
‘I am thrilled to be continuing with Williams Racing for the 2024 season,’ Logan said in response to the new contract.
‘It has been an incredible journey with the team so far, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue developing as a driver within such a talented and dedicated group.
‘We have exciting plans for the future, and I can’t wait to contribute to the team’s success in the coming year.’
The decision means that America will have a driver on the grid for a second straight season, after Sargeant’s arrival in 2023 ended an eight-year fallow period.
Prior to Sargeant, Alexander Rossi was the last American to race in the sport’s premier series in 2015, when he made five starts for Marussia.
Sargeant picked up his only point of the 2023 season at one of his three home races in Austin, Texas – finishing 10th in the standings after starting at the back in 20th.
His highest qualifying result was at another US circuit in Las Vegas, when he started sixth, but he could only finish 16th come the checkered flag.
He had seven DNFs across the season, but did miss out on a point with 11th-placed finishes in Brazil and Great Britain, and came 12th in Bahrain at the season opener.
Williams as a constructor enjoyed an impressive year, rising from 10th in 2022 to finish 7th in 2023, which is a huge improvement and will reward them with a higher budget heading into 2024.
Much of their success, though, came from Thai-British driver Albon, who finished 7th on two occasions, and had seven points finishes across the season.
