Logan Sargeant insists there’s no ‘extra pressure’ being first American F1 driver since 2015

Logan Sargeant has moved to play down talk surrounding his nationality as he prepares to make his F1 debut and end America’s almost decade-long wait for another Grand Prix driver.

America boasts a rich history in F1, including world champion drivers Phil Hill and Mario Andretti, the race-winning Penske team, and a host of events at iconic venues across the country over the years.

ANALYSIS: Why Williams promoted American Sargeant to a race seat in 2023

But while Haas arrived as another US-led team seven years ago, the country has experienced a driver drought during the same period, with Alexander Rossi the last American to reach F1 in 2015, racing for Manor, and Scott Speed the last to complete a full season in 2006, with Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri).

That will change in 2023, though, as Williams promote their academy star, 22-year-old Sargeant, who won two races en route to fourth in last year’s F2 standings, having previously caught the eye in F3 and F4.