Competing in your hometown always adds extra pressure for athletes. But for U.S. driver and Fort Lauderdale native Logan Sargeant, racing in the 2023 Miami Grand Prix—as the first American since ’15 to earn a seat on the F1 circuit—brings about a different level of expectation. With the championship’s massive spike in popularity and a wait of more than seven years for a U.S. driver, the 22-year-old is carrying the hopes of many American fans on his shoulders.
Though Sargeant has Florida roots, his family moved to Lugano, Switzerland, 10 years ago, in an effort to give Logan and his older brother, Dalton, better opportunities in racing in Europe. The move paid off, as Sargeant worked his way from F4 UAE and British F4, to F3 and eventually F2, where enough wins secured the points required to graduate to F1. The Williams Racing rookie and part-time surfer has only four F1 races under his belt, and he’ll be in search of his first points of the year, after earning his seat for this season in late November 2022, following the final round of the Formula 2 season.
Courtesy of Williams Racing
Ahead of the Miami GP—one of three races on “home soil” for the U.S. driver—Sports Illustrated caught up with Sargeant to discuss the challenges of the epic Miami circuit, how he is finding life as a rookie in Formula 1, his must-have music for the weekend and more.
Sports Illustrated: Miami will be your fifth race in Formula 1. How are you finding it all?
Logan Sargeant: There haven’t been any surprises or shocks because you expect the challenge, but it’s a reminder that you have to be on top of your game every single day, or it’s not enough. So that’s the biggest thing to try and consistently perform well.
SI: How are you feeling with your first home race on the horizon?
LS: I’m excited. I have never raced Formula cars in America, so now to race in Formula 1 in Miami, just 10 minutes from where I started racing and 20 minutes away from home, is going to be really cool. It’s a special moment for sure. The weekend will be difficult, as it will be hot and humid, plus I don’t know the track. I technically have the advantage, because it’s on home turf. But from what I understand, the drivers last year said it was extremely physical. It will be a tough weekend, but I’m looking forward to feeling the atmosphere from the American fans because I know we do it right.
SI: Have you done any simulations of the Miami International Autodrome yet?
LS: Yeah, we’ve done a lot of laps. I am feeling good and more comfortable. I know where it goes, which is a good start! It definitely poses quite a few challenges, and it’ll be one that I need to get used to, but all good.
Courtesy of Williams Racing
SI: You mention the race is close to home. Who will be coming to the race? Have you had many people you haven’t spoken to in years reach out for tickets?
LS: I’ve probably had 100 ticket requests, which I think people need to realize how difficult they are to get! But the Miami Grand Prix gave me 25 grandstand tickets for friends to watch the race, which is cool. To be able to give those to some of my Day One friends will be nice.
SI: When you get a chance to come back to Florida, what do you immediately do?
LS: I get out on the boat as quickly as possible. I like to be on the water. Nice music in the background, be with friends and family and see my dog, Coco. That’s always cool, and that’s what I love to do when I get home.
Courtesy of Williams Racing
SI: You mention music. Hit me with three songs on your Miami race weekend playlist.
LS: Wow, that’s on the spot! I would go with old-school rap. I’ll give you three. I’ll go with “21 Questions” by 50 Cent, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem and “Forever” by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem.
SI: How much extra pressure are you feeling ahead of the Miami weekend?
LS: I’m going to treat it like any other weekend. But obviously, I want to make it one of my better ones. It will be a mentally draining weekend regarding commitments and media. I will have to manage myself and ensure I have full energy every time I get in the car.
SI: Where is the best place for fans to watch the race if they’ve got a ticket?
LS: I always like Turns 1, 2 and 3. You get to see the action, the race start, the pitstop sequences and things like that. So that’s my recommendation.
