Williams' attitude towards Logan Sargeant: just sporting cynicism or a useless decision?

The weekend in Australia started all in all well for Logan Sargeant to then receive, blameless, a painful door in the face. Was it really helpful for the team to give his car to his teammate?

Black Friday for the American driver, despite the Australian sun

During the Italian nighttime, Williams' Thai driver slammed his FW46 on the barriers while running FP1. The team immediately noticed the severity of the condition of the car, especially the chassis. Team principal Vowles announced that they unfortunately did not bring a spare chassis to Australia and, considering the results of the drivers, they decided that for the rest of the race weekend Alexander Albon would take Logan Sargeant’s car. From these statements we can make a couple of reflections. How is it possible that a historic team like Williams, winner of 16 world titles between drivers and manufacturers, makes such a mistake. An error that is difficult to justify, despite the economic difficulties the team may have.

I'm sorry but you got screwed

The second assessment can be made on the attitude towards the American driver who, on Friday, did not make serious mistakes. Let’s try to empathize with Sargeant who, after getting out of his car, hoping to have a nice weekend, receives the worst news that a driver can receive from his TP, Vowles. The pat on the back from your team principal, the one who with that gesture should express maximum confidence in you and instead, that gesture seems a mockery.

"It was your partner who made a mistake but unfortunately we have to give your car to your teammate, but it’s not your fault."

Now, all you can do is swallow that bitter bite and agree. Max Verstappen wouldn’t have reacted that way, saying that in Logan’s place, he’d take a fly home after destroying the other car. This is a bit harsh, but it gives a good idea of what the driver’s nature is.

Very strict and unfair

It’s not the first time that this happens in Formula 1, every team wants to get the maximum result every weekend. It may sound very harsh, but this is a ruthless sport. If you don’t get results, there is a line of drivers ready to replace you. However, the behavior that the team has reserved for its youngest driver has certainly not been appreciated by fans who love this sport. At the third round of the season, in which you recognize that you do not have many possibilities to bring the car in the top 10 positions, this choice seems to have been useless. Too quick to make such a clear decision about its drivers, this can only be counterproductive, instead of giving positive results.

Little humanity, but it would be needed to encourage the drivers

The attitude of the English team, which until last year, had shown confidence and respect for their American driver, even in his difficult moments, was not very sympathetic. It’s clear that Alexander Albon is the most consistent and can be relied upon the most, however treating the other driver so badly means destroying him psychologically. In a Formula 1 season that is getting longer and longer, counting 24 races this year, it's indispensable to have both drivers focused and at the height of their physical and mental strengths.

This could’ve been a good opportunity for the American, to prove that he deserves that seat, instead he got a door slammed in his face, one that really hurts. Is this the first warning bell for Logan Sargeant’s future? It won’t be easy for him to get up, but it is the only way to show how much he is worth as a driver and that he deserves to stay in Formula 1.

Williams returns home empty handed

Karma offers a small consolation prize to the American driver, seeing his teammate, the first opponent for each driver, crossing the finish line eleventh. In fact, despite the three retirements in the race: the Redbull of Verstappen and for the two Mercedes, Albon still failed to go to points. Preceded by an excellent Yuki Tsunoda and a good Haas duo that managed to conquer the ninth and tenth position getting 4 points for the constructors’ championship.

In other words, Williams comes out of this weekend in Melbourne defeated and a little less team, let’s see if Suzuka will be better and have both cars crossing the finish line.