McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was shocked by Logan Sargeant’s struggles in Method 1 that led to the American being changed by Williams earlier this week.
Sargeant was dropped after crashing closely in the course of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, and shall be changed by rookie Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the season. Sargeant’s spell with Williams ends with a file of only one level scored in 36 race begins, however Piastri – who was team-mates with Sargeant in Method 3 in 2020 and raced in opposition to him in a number of classes earlier than that – believes he couldn’t translate his expertise into performances in F1.
“I despatched him a textual content yesterday, and he appears OK,” Piastri stated. “It was just a little little bit of a shock, clearly it wasn’t a simple time for him in F1. I feel it was far more tough for him than possibly I anticipated it to be, going into F1. For me, his potential was a lot better than what was on present in F1, for no matter purpose it may be.
“However I do know first-hand, being his teammate within the junior classes, racing him in mainly every little thing, I understand how fast he’s. I don’t suppose the change was fully surprising. Fairly a daring transfer to place Franco in, I’d say, however better of luck to him.
“Only a disgrace that I feel he most likely had… For no matter purpose he wasn’t capable of present every little thing he’s obtained, as a result of within the junior classes he was genuinely one of many quickest guys I went up in opposition to. So I feel his potential is way better than what some individuals see.”
Alex Albon, Sargeant’s former teammate in F1, was equally filled with reward for the Floridian, saying he nonetheless feels the 23-year-old has the power to carry out at a excessive degree wherever he races subsequent.
“I’m sort of centered by myself lane, so clearly greater than something, I do know Logan personally,” Albon stated. “He’s a brilliant man and issues didn’t work out, however I’m certain no matter he will get on and strikes on to do, he’s going to be excellent. I do know the tempo he has.
“Clearly it was fairly a late resolution, so I didn’t hear so lengthy earlier than the announcement. Clearly, sure, I did converse with Logan, however I’ll preserve that behind closed doorways. A terrific man, and we obtained on very nicely. I feel he’s obtained a brilliant future forward of him. And yeah, I really feel for him, for certain.”
