Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher emerges as the prominent candidate to replace Logan Sargeant should Willaims decide to part ways with the rookie, according to F1 journalist Lawrence Barretto.
The announcement of Sargeant joining Williams for the 2023 season generated considerable anticipation, marking America’s first full-time representation in the sport since Scott Speed in 2007.
However, reservations lingered regarding the 22-year-old’s performance, given his swift elevation after a solitary solid year in F2, culminating in a fourth-place finish in the championship.
The Logan Sargeant has placed 19th in the Drivers’ championship standings after the first half of the ongoing campaign. Thai teammate, Alex Albon has solely scored points for the team placing Willaims seventh in the constructor’s championship.
The significant performance gap between Sargeant and Albon has prompted numerous inquiries about the viability of the American driver’s continued presence on the racing grid.
While some of this can be ascribed to the performance of his FW45 car, Barretto asserts that if there is no significant enhancement in his performances post the summer break, Williams will not renew his contract.
‘They are backing him to succeed and earn a second campaign in blue – but he needs to not only find consistency but also close the gap to Albon, particularly in qualifying, and get himself on the scoreboard.
‘If he doesn’t, his seat is under threat. Mick Schumacher would be an obvious contender, having briefly had talks with the team last year and having kept his hand in through his Mercedes reserve role, where he has earned public praise for his efforts from [Lewis] Hamilton and [George] Russell.’
