Sargeant fires back at Ericsson over ‘untrue’ rift with Vowles

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Logan Sargeant has vehemently denied claims made by former F1 driver Marcus Ericsson that he no longer speaks to Williams team principal James Vowles.

Sargeant is facing increasing pressure to secure his future in Formula 1, with the team yet to confirm its 2025 line-up but unlikely to retain the American.

Ericsson, now competing in IndyCar with Andretti Global, ruffled Sargeant’s feathers by suggesting on the most recent Viaplay F1 podcast that the struggling Williams charger is no longer communicating with Vowles.

"I was also told this weekend by some American friends who know Sargeant, that he doesn't have fun in that team," the Swedish driver told the Viaplay F1 podcast.

"He thinks it's really hard, and apparently he and James Vowles, they don't even talk with each other anymore. They barely greet each other. It's completely cut off between them."

Read also: Sargeant vows to 'fight to the end' amid Williams seat speculation

However, Sargeant was quick to dismiss the former Caterham and Sauber F1 driver’s claims.

"Marcus Ericsson has a reputation of talking about other people without ever even having a conversation with me in his life,” Sargeant told the media at Spa on Thursday.

“Yeah, it doesn't carry any weight. It's not true. I just had a conversation with James here 20 minutes ago.”

Sargeant acknowledged Williams’ struggles this season but insisted his relationship with Vowles remains professional.

"Most importantly me and James, we both come here and we want to do the best for the team. We both work in the same direction for what is the best for the team. And ultimately, what's best for the team is best for me. So it's just it's completely untrue.

“It hasn't been a particularly easy season with the amount of things that have happened, both to me, you know, from a team perspective we've struggled in some areas.

"So of course it can look like our relationship's worsened, it is from the outside, but yeah, we just go to work as usual and keep trying to perform the rest of the weekend."

With Williams reportedly targeting Carlos Sainz as Alex Albon’s teammate for next season, and Valtteri Bottas as a potential backup, Sargeant’s future in F1 hangs looks bleak.

According to Motorsport.com, the American has reportedly held talks with Prema Racing about a potential IndyCar move in 2025, which would reunite him with Ericsson on the grid.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.