Williams F1: Team Thread

Thanks .

For some stupid reason I keep thinking of Pat Symonds .

 

Does anyone know why Williams had so little sponsorship appearing on their cars ??

 

Williams Livery for 3 Races starting with Singapore


I LOVE it


https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...e-japan-and-qatar.7skhgJ7aPmEnhzyU8z7D0Q.html

 

It’s a beauty!

 

Sargent confirmed for 2024 .


Williams Racing announces Logan Sargeant for 2024

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Published on
01 Dec 2023
Est. reading time
2 Min
The 22-year-old American racer will continue to drive for the team in the 2024 Formula 1 season


We are delighted to announce that Logan Sargeant will continue to drive for Williams Racing for the 2024 Formula 1 season.
After his rookie season with the team, which saw the 22-year-old become the first American driver to score an F1 point in 30 years, Logan demonstrated the fundamental speed required to perform at the highest level, building on these foundations race by race, solidifying his place in our line-up.
"I am thrilled to be continuing with Williams Racing for the 2024 season,” Logan shared following the announcement.
“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."


We are already looking forward to building on the positive momentum from the 2023 campaign, in which we clinched seventh in the FIA Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship.
Everyone at Grove is confident that the combination of Logan’s raw skills with Alex Albon’s experience will lead to a successful 2024 campaign, no one more so than our Team Principal, James Vowles.
"I am pleased to continue our journey with Logan into the 2024 season,” James commented.
“Logan has demonstrated immense skill whilst under the pressure of the world stage, making him a perfect fit for our team.
“We have great confidence in his abilities and believe that together we can achieve even greater success in the upcoming season."
The extended partnership with Logan underscores our commitment to nurturing and developing young talent in the world of Formula 1 as an alumnus of our highly regarded Driver Academy.
There is plenty more reaction still to come from our Oxfordshire headquarters throughout the day, so stay tuned

 

Must be the worst non-paydriver I've ever seen get a new contract.

Nothing "demonstrates speed" like getting outqualified 22 times in a row

 

He must be bringing some $$$$ to the team.

 

Fair point , but pretty sure I read somewhere that they said they didn’t need pay drivers anymore ( my first thought at that time was how can Williams say that )

I just think there is also something Vowles sees in him .

 

I can only imagine Vowles sees something in him .

Vowles said it to Sargent quite a while to get his head around it all .

I have also read that he has problems coping with pressure .

If that’s true , can they sort that through counselling ?

 

Liam Lawson looked far more convincing than Logan Sargeant this year.
Maybe there was some backhanders from the FIA for Williams to keep the USA flag flying.

 

Good point, although I'd say Liberty Media, rather than the FIA. They'd probably try and put an indycar driver in there if they could, but the only one to have the quality is Spanish.

 

Yeah, you`re right,more like Liberty Media.
At the moment Sargeant is probably the best American driver for F1. As soon as there is a better U.S. driver Sargeant will be out.

That could be after 4 or 5 races anyway if there is no improvement.I`m sure Williams could find someone.

 

I can’t believe Williams didn’t look at Lawson , maybe RedBull flatly refused to let them even talk ?

 

You are probably right.Lawson is firmly in the Red Bull family of things now and is most likely headed for AT (or whatever they will be called) in 2025 anyway.

 

I don't think he brings much directly, but his marketability is a factor, if that makes sense? Not so much a pay driver as a "helps us get paid" driver. I don't think his performances get him a second year if he wasn't American.

That said, and I haven't analysed it at all, I've read comments from people who'd know that say his race pace isn't all that bad, he just can't manage his tyres well enough and that causes a pace drop-off towards the ends of stints (or limits the lengths of stints) and that's been really hindering him. That's a solvable problem, drivers like Piastri have overcome it with a bit of experience.

That said, his quali still needs work, and his racecraft isn't the best either. I can't see he gets a third season without a step forward.

 

The speculation aside on why he's been kept on, it's quite refreshing to see a team giving a driver time to develop unlike, let's just say Red Bull who have a scrapheap a mile high.

I'm sure there was probably some sponsorship in there that helped sweeten the deal, but if he can work on his fitness and spend a **** ton of time in the simulator over winter, maybe we'll see an improvement.

Seats in F1 are limited though, and it is quite surprising that Williams aren't looking at the many emerging talents that would snap up the opportunity.

 

Williams will have Merceds power until 2030 .

 

Williams livery is out.

these car launches are dead. show me another blank and (insert highlight colour here) and I'll scream.

it's utterly boring now.

 

Alex Albon has extended his contract with Willams until "beyond 2026".

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/albon-signs-new-long-term-f1-contract-with-williams/10611074/

He obviously has some faith in the direction the team are taking and their potential to move up the order. Hopefully this is a good sign.

 

Made my day