Sargeant's exit doesn't matter to America: races are more....Read more

Sargeant’s exit doesn’t matter to America: races are more important’

Logan Sargeant’s brief stint in Formula 1 marked a significant moment for American motorsport, as he became the first American driver to compete in F1 since Alexander Rossi. However, despite his participation, Sargeant often found himself at the back of the grid, struggling to score points during his time with Williams. His performance ultimately led to the team’s decision to replace him with Franco Colapinto following the Zandvoort Grand Prix.

In recent years, the United States has hosted three Formula 1 races, each playing a vital role in the sport’s growth in the American market. The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled early in the season, while the Circuit of the Americas in Austin is set to take place this weekend. The excitement for F1 continues as the sport gears up for the highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix in November. Gunther Steiner, former team principal of the Haas F1 Team, emphasized the importance of these races, arguing that they resonate more with the American audience than Sargeant’s presence on the grid.

Steiner remarked that for F1 to truly capture the attention of the American public, the sport needs to feature drivers who can win races. He stated, “An American who doesn’t win in Formula One doesn’t move the needle. It doesn’t do anything, so Logan being out will not make a difference.” This underscores a sentiment that while having American representation in F1 is valuable, it is the success of drivers that truly engages fans.

According to Steiner, the presence of races in the U.S. is essential for cultivating a fan base and generating interest in Formula 1. He noted, “Formula One needs the presence to show that it is there for that country as well. It’s the biggest economy in the world. It’s one of the biggest countries in the world, so it needs to have races there.” This perspective highlights the broader strategy behind F1’s decision to expand its calendar to include more races in America, aiming to tap into the vast potential of the U.S. market.

The popularity of the American races has been evident in ticket sales, with Steiner confirming that both Austin and Miami have experienced high demand. He mentioned that Austin is performing well in ticket sales, while Miami was sold out this year, indicating a strong interest in Formula 1 among American fans. This trend suggests that the series is successfully capturing the attention of audiences in the U.S., even if the performance of American drivers is not yet reaching the desired heights.

Looking back, the last time an American driver claimed victory in a Formula 1 race was in 197