Logan Sargeant: From Miami Grand Prix spectator to only American driver in the race
MIAMI GARDENS — A year ago, Fort Lauderdale’s Logan Sargeant was casually enjoying the inaugural Formula 1 CRYPTO.com Miami Grand Prix mixing with friends, family and colleagues in the Williams Racing hospitality suite at Hard Rock Stadium just steps from the team’s trackside garages.
Then a star driver in the European triple-A version of formula racing, he could take in the atmosphere, study the scene. And his aspirations were only reinforced.
This week at the Miami Grand Prix, Sargeant is hosting friends and family at the circuit - now as a driver for the F1 Williams team. It’s been a heckuva last year for the 22-year old Floridian who comes home to South Florida navigating his life as a rookie competitor in what so many consider the highest ranks of racing in the world.
“It’s amazing to be here,’’ Sargeant said, smiling, “I’ve probably had 1,000 ticket requests.
MIami vibe for racers: Miami Grand Prix welcomes F1 drivers to Hard Rock Stadium with South Florida vibe
Correa's dream: Racing in hometown Miami Grand Prix is driver's dream after fatal crash, two dozen surgeries
A Cuban Grand Prix to remember: ‘58 Cuban Grand Prix: Death, gangsters, a revolution and champion driver Fangio kidnapped
“But it’s nice to be here, it’s nice to actually take part in my first ever car race in America. Just to see the America fans and friends and family here. I know the American atmosphere is always good. I’m excited to have that home atmosphere for the first time and really just enjoy every part of the weekend.”
It has always been his dream – from his early days competing in go-kart tracks around the state, to the life-changing decision to move to Europe and compete in formula racing’s junior ranks, to ultimately be on the Formula One starting grid. To make it to this level is a long, often twisted, course that also requires a certain amount of “right-place-at-the-right-time” fortune.
Sargeant has it. Now comes the equally great task of seizing the opportunity. Of succeeding.
The Williams Racing team he competes for owns seven world driver championships and 10 team titles, but its drivers have not won a race since 2012. And the F1 rookie Sargeant has yet to score a point in four Formula One Grand Prix races this season. His highest finish is 12th - coming in his debut, the season-opener in Bahrain.
He is humble and realistic about his first year on the grid and his expectations at his home course. This is the first race – beyond go-karts – he’s ever competed in the United States.
“It’s going to be a tough weekend. Not knowing the track is a big hurdle to climb, but I’m excited,’’ Sargeant acknowledged.
“But back to a normal [race weekend] format, which is nice. I’ve got three hours [of practice] to build up to it. I think it’s going to be a pretty tight mid-field so we need to be comfortable going into qualifying and just deliver, get the job done.’’
Nineteenth quickest time for Sargeant after first practice
Sargeant was 19th quickest in Friday’s opening practice driving the No. 2 Williams Racing Mercedes. While he was turning his first laps on the 3.36-mile, 19-turn circuit, a pair of planes flew above the track during practice carrying banners with the huge words “Go Logan” on each.
It is indicative of the enthusiastic support for Sargaent – trackside and otherwise. And his journey has also inspired and enthused his fellow American racers, who have long kept an eye on Sargeant’s ascent.
IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood, of Jupiter, is a childhood friend of Sargeant’s. The two grew up racing go-karts together since they were in kindergarten and even now hit the Atlantic Ocean beaches to surf and fish whenever their schedules collide.
They have been mutually supportive of each other’s open-wheel careers with Sargeant posting a photo on social media recently congratulating Kirkwood on his first career IndyCar win at Long Beach, Calif., last month. And similarly, Kirkwood has been a strong advocate for Sargeant’s rise in F1. He is trackside this weekend – working with his IndyCar team sponsor AutoNation, but also there to support his good friend.
“We grew up karting together and have always been really close friends, so it’s really cool and we always talk about that,’’ Kirkwood said of the fact they are simultaneously starting their career in the highest ranks of their chosen open-wheel genre.
“We talk about how I’m making a step into an anchor team like Andretti Autosport and he’s getting a chance as an American to go into Formula One. It’s surreal to us, knowing where we’ve grown up and how it’s come to be.’’
Reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Zane Smith mentioned his admiration for his friend Sargeant as well. It may surprise some to know of Sargeant’s NASCAR connection, but the Californian Smith also got his racing start go-karting with Kirkwood and Sargeant. And Sargeant’s older brother, Dalton, has competed in the NASCAR and ARCA ranks.
“Just really cool to see an American on the F1 side again,’’ Smith said. “Every American wants a horse in the race and he’s that. It’s just really cool to see an American competing on the world stage.”
And so this weekend is incredibly important to Sargeant and to the Formula One Series that is establishing an incredible American presence – from Sargeant in the driver’s seat to the country hosting three races in 2022 – at Miami and later in Austin, Texas and Las Vegas.
“I remember when I first moved to Europe I don’t think there was a single US Grand Prix and now there are three, that’s definitely nice,’’ Sargeant said. “Points are definitely what we’re after. It’s going to be challenging for sure, but it starts with delivering a better qualifying and going from there. Opportunity is always there to score points and have to try to work better as a team and extract the most from it.’’
And to have the opportunity do it in front of his true hometown crowd is especially motivating.
“I started racing 10 minutes down the road at Homestead-Miami Speedway and really at the time just as something to do with my dad and my brother,’’ he said smiling. “We were competitive kids and just loved the sport and the adrenalin.
“And that just took us on a long journey. Here we are doing the full circle and I’m back in Miami for my first home F1 race. And I’m really looking forward to it.’’
George Russell of Team Mercedes fastest in opening practice
Mercedes driver George Russell was fastest in Friday’s opening practice for the Miami Grand Prix, posting a lap around the 3.36-mile course that was .212-second better than his Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton.
Last year’s polesitter, Charles LeClerc, was third fastest in the Ferrari and reigning world champion and defending Miami race winner Max Verstappen, of Red Bull Racing, was fourth fastest.
Several cars – more than half the grid – encountered some off-course excursions getting reacquainted with the 19-turn circuit around Hard Rock Stadium. Haas Racing driver Nico Hulkenberg had a crash in his Ferrari, but had turned in the ninth fastest lap before contact with the wall in Turn 3.
There was a second practice later Friday, with a morning practice session scheduled for Saturday followed by pole qualifying in the afternoon to set the 20-car grid for Sunday’s race.
Miami Grand PrixSunday, 2 p.m.ESPN
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: American Logan Sargeant set for first Miami Grand Prix F1 race
