Pit Debrief understands that Williams driver Logan Sargeant is no longer talking to team boss James Vowles, amid increasing speculation about his future with the team. The recent visit of Esteban Ocon to the Williams factory, along with the names of Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas being linked to Sargeant’s seat, has intensified rumours about a potential mid-season replacement.
Vowles recently commented on Ocon’s visit, clarifying that it was aimed at evaluating the Frenchman for a future drive, ruling out a move ultimately. Sainz and Bottas remain the favourites.
“Esteban came in for, not a real seat fit, but I wanted to evaluate him for 2025 and 2026,” Vowles told Motorsport.com in Hungary.
“Everything we are doing at the moment is for ’25 and beyond on drivers, nothing else.”
The speculation began ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, with Motorsport.com’s Italian edition reporting that Williams considered making a mid-season swoop for Ocon, who has not had his contract renewed at Alpine for next season.
However, Vowles confirmed that any move for Ocon is not going to happen.
“I think where he is at the moment, our paths won’t cross.”
As reported by Pit Debrief earlier this month, Ocon is going to join Haas. Confirmation in Hungary came of Kevin Magnussen’s departure at the end of this campaign.
Adding to the turmoil, former F1 driver Marcus Ericsson revealed insights into Sargeant’s current state within the team on the Viaplay F1 podcast. The Swede is a teammate to Sargeant’s good friend Kyle Kirkwood at Andretti in IndyCar, although he did not reveal who told him.
“I was also told this weekend by some American friends who know Sargeant, that it is […] he doesn’t have fun in that team,” Ericsson shared.
“He thinks it’s really hard, and apparently he and James Vowles, they don’t even talk with each other anymore, they barely greet each other. It’s completely cut-off between them.”
In his written media session in Hungary, Logan Sargeant discussed a lack of feedback from the team following his strong performance at Silverstone. When asked if he got any from Vowles, he said, “No, not really.”
Pressed on whether this annoyed him, the Floridian denied it, stating he wants to do his best for the women and men working for him in the team.
The answer very much hinted at the tension that now exists between Vowles and the 23-year-old.
“No, not really. Like I said, I do my best to perform on a personal level.
“I want to come here and perform well for all the guys and girls who are working hard for me.
“Trying to maximise our performance every single weekend. Ultimately, I know when I perform well. So if I can do that and give back to them, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Sargeant’s tenure in Formula 1 has not been without its challenges. In Australia, he was benched as Alex Albon got his car. The Thai had a massive crash in FP1, and the team had no spare chassis at that time due to a tight schedule to get the FW46 ready for Bahrain.
From Imola through to the Spanish Grand Prix this year, he was on an older-spec package compared to teammate Alex Albon, but the American managed to put in admirable performances, getting far closer to the Thai then he did through 2023.
Vowles has consistently spoken about the possibility of replacing Sargeant mid-season or for 2025 since Monaco.
Reflecting on his one and a half seasons in F1 so far, Sargeant stated nobody outside the team knows what is truly happening on the inside.
“I quickly realised that no one knows what truly goes on inside a team other than the people that are in it. Life’s not always fair, but it is what it is.”
Vowles, who worked with Ocon when he was part of the Mercedes junior driver programme, praised the Frenchman’s capabilities but acknowledged he will he heading for another team next year.
“He’s been mighty quick. You don’t out qualify Fernando [Alonso] unless you are mighty,” Vowles said.
“But what I can say is I’m confident he will have a very successful future in Formula 1.”
