RACE DEBRIEF

    An American driver is set to return to the F1 grid for the first time since 2015 next season, after Logan Sargeant secured enough Super Licence points to book a berth at Williams for 2023.

    Sargeant claimed P5 in the Formula 2 Feature Race at Yas Marina Circuit, doing enough to take P4 in the drivers’ standings for the season – as well as earning himself the F2 Rookie of the Year award.

    F2: Iwasa beats Drugovich in final lap battle for victory at Yas Island as Sargeant ensures F1 promotion

    However, having headed into the weekend with 29 Super Licence points to his name, the 30 Sargeant received for his P4 championship finish, plus two for having no penalties across the F2 season and one for his Free Practice 1 outing with Williams on Friday meant he sailed past the 40-point Super Licence threshold required to race in F1.

    ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 18: Logan Sargeant of United States driving the (45)
    Sargeant earned an extra Super Licence point with his FP1 outing in Abu Dhabi for Williams

    In doing so, he met Williams Team Principal Jost Capito’s requirements for earning a seat on the grid next season, with Sargeant poised to step into the team in place of Nicholas Latifi, and alongside Alex Albon, for 2023.

    “We feel he’s ready to race," said Capito in Austin earlier this year. “Under the condition that he has enough Super Licence points after Abu Dhabi, he will be our second driver next year.

    “He’s had one season in F2, and I’m a fan of getting young drivers as quick through as possible into Formula 1 because the series below, the cars compare to Formula 1 cars… so get him in as quick as possible and find out if he’s capable of staying in Formula 1 for a long time, which we believe he is.

    "His first year in F2, and he won races, and he has been qualifying very strong all these years in his career – and we believe he’s absolutely ready to get into Formula 1."