Williams Racing boss Jost Capito reiterated his belief that a great future awaits Logan Sargeant in F1, but insists the young American is facing a steep learning curve.
On Monday, Williams confirmed Sargeant's promotion to F1 in the wake of the young gun securing his F1 Super Licence after the final round in Abu Dhabi of the FIA Formula 2 Championship.
Sargeant came under consideration for Nicholas Latifi's race seat alongside Alex Albon for 2023 last summer following his good results in F2.
But at the US Grand Prix in Austin, where the 21-year-old made his F1 debut in free practice with Williams, Capito revealed that Sargeant was ready to move on to the next level.
Next year, Sargeant will become the first American to start an F1 race since Alex Rossi in 2015, and the first driver from the U.S to compete full time in the sport since Scott Speed in 2007.
"We have seen his progress and we came to the conclusion in the middle of the season that if he gets the Super Licence points then it is the right step for him to get into F1 as soon as possible," said Capito last weekend in Abu Dhabi.
"Logan will bring youth to the team – he is of course not experienced, and I’m sure he has a steep learning curve.
"We have to keep the expectations for Logan for next year close because F1 is so complicated compared to all other series, and we have to give him the chance to develop, to do mistakes, nevertheless I’m absolutely convinced he will be very fast.
"He developed a lot in the 2022 season. Our academy team did a great job as well, he did not just develop his driving, he developed his training, his media skills and overall he is now a complete driver that is ready to go to F1 and is ready to take the next step, improve, and I’m sure he will have a great future."
As Albon undertakes his second season in F1 with Williams in 2023, Capito expects the Anglo-Thai racer to lead the way for himself and Sargeant, but the German hopes the latter challenges his teammate, at least in qualifying.
"Alex and Logan as team-mates, I’m sure that Logan has to learn a lot and Alex will help him to learn,” he said.
"I hope during the season both will become very competitive so that Logan can at least challenge Alex in qualifying, for racing it will take a bit longer, but it would be great to at the end of the season have both drivers close in terms of competitiveness."
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