In a thrilling turn of events at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, Williams driver Logan Sargeant made history by ending a 30-year drought for American drivers in Formula 1, securing a 10th place finish on home soil. The race was not without its post-checkered flag drama, as Sargeant initially crossed the line in 12th place but was promoted to 10th after Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari were disqualified due to a technical infringement.
For Sargeant, who is in his debut season in Formula 1, it was a remarkable comeback from a challenging Sprint race on Saturday where he found himself at the back of the pack. This weekend’s performance was a significant improvement from the previous Qatar Grand Prix, where he retired due to intense dehydration caused by the sweltering conditions.
Following the race, Sargeant expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s amazing to score my first point in F1 on home turf after the challenging weekend I’ve had. I’m so proud of this team and myself for the hard work and progress we’ve been making this season. We worked hard overnight to find a direction with the car that was going to be positive, and we found that.”
The 22-year-old American driver is the first from his country to compete in Formula 1 since Alexander Rossi in 2015. His 10th-place finish also makes him the first American driver to score points since Michael Andretti at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen continued his dominant season, clinching his 15th win in 18 races. The victory extended Red Bull’s remarkable run in 2023, as they had already secured both the World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships with four rounds left on the calendar.
Hamilton’s quest for his first win in nearly two years was tantalizingly close. He chased down Verstappen during the final stages of the race but ultimately fell just over two seconds short of the Red Bull driver. However, his podium finish was short-lived, as he and Leclerc were disqualified post-race following an inspection by the FIA’s Technical team.
The inspection revealed that both cars did not comply with F1 regulations due to excessive wear on the skid pads under the car, a result of the bumpy track and the sprint race schedule. While both teams cited these conditions as the cause, the race stewards emphasized that competitors are responsible for ensuring their cars comply with regulations throughout the event.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff expressed his disappointment, saying, “We hate coming so close to winning and falling short. Others got it right where we got it wrong, and there’s no wiggle room in the rules. We need to take it on the chin, do the learning, and come back stronger next weekend.”
In a dramatic American Grand Prix, Logan Sargeant’s historic achievement and Max Verstappen’s continued dominance were the standout moments, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next Formula 1 race.
