Logan Sargeant: My pre-season journal

Let’s take it back to December 2021. I’d just finished in Abu Dhabi taking part in the Young Driver Test and after a long season, I took a period to just disconnect from racing. I enjoyed my time back home with my family and friends, but after a few weeks, I started blending back into the routine, getting back into the training programme to build my strength back up as much as I could before we got back into testing.

Now, I feel more than ready to tackle the step into F2. After the post and pre-season tests, I’ve had a lot of days in the car so I’m feeling comfortable. I’ve had the chance to work in all sorts of conditions, including both qualifying and race runs. We’ve definitely made gains and I feel we are there or thereabouts. Now it’s just about aiming to perfect it all as we come into the first race weekend.

We all want to win; I’m competing against 21 other drivers who all want to achieve that, but if I really wanted to nail down a goal for 2022, it’s that I just want to maximise the package at every single round of the championship. Whether that means we’re capable of getting a win, we make sure we get the win; if we’re only capable of getting P5, we must secure P5.

Some people may not believe this when I say it but honestly, there’s not a major difference between the F3 and F2 cars. Of course, there’s the obvious step up in power and the carbon brakes take a bit of getting used to. Sometimes it’s just about looking at how to keep them awake, especially in the race runs. But in terms of raw speed, the step up is nothing too dramatic.

Something I have enjoyed over the winter is getting further embedded into the Williams team. Everyone at Grove has been super helpful so it’s been really good to get involved. Everyone has made me feel so welcome. I’ve also been active on the Formula One simulator, which is always a benefit.

Even just keeping up to date with all the procedures that the race drivers are going through, alongside my time in the sim is hugely beneficial. I still want to get more involved on the racing side; I’ll be trying to get into the operations room a few times this year so I can take in and learn as much which will hopefully benefit me if I get another chance in the car.

Another benefit of being a Williams Racing Academy Driver in 2022 is that the F1 livery is carried down to my F2 car.

To put it simply, I think it looks phenomenal. Nicky and Alex have looked absolutely fantastic in the FW44 and I’m really pleased with how my Carlin has turned out as well.

Bring on the 2022 season.