EXCLUSIVE: Piastri and Sargeant reveal the biggest lessons learned from their 2023 rookie campaigns

Both drivers had exciting seasons, although with differing outcomes. Piastri had the best rookie season in Formula One since Lewis Hamilton’s 2007 campaign, finishing on the podium and winning the Qatar Sprint.

Sargeant had a significantly more problematic year filled with several well-publicized mishaps. However, he showed potential when he finished P7 in qualifying in Las Vegas and earned his first point at his home race in Austin, following the disqualifications of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari. James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams, supported the American driver throughout the year, and on December 1st, his spot on the 2024 grid was officially confirmed.

Now that they have experienced an entire F1 season, both drivers will be eager to go forward. But there wasn’t much time to think back on their brief Formula One careers and ask the two what they had learned most so far during the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Piastri answered, “I mean, there have been a lot of lessons.” “I believe you are incapable of sleeping. In Formula 1, you lose far more money when you make a mistake than you could otherwise.

“It’s true that every driver is very competitive. These days, every team is very competitive, and if you play it too easy, you risk losing a lot of ground and time. Thus, that one is most likely the largest.

Indeed, there have been details about energy management and driving as well. A busy year has passed. However, given how cutthroat everything has been, [the most important lesson] is that you never should rest on your laurels.

Sargeant offered his own insights on the wealth of knowledge he had gained from serving in Formula 2, much of which he repeated from Piastri.

Sitting next the Australian, the Williams racer remarked, “I think Oscar kind of covered it quite well.” However, I believe that realizing how much work is required to be able to perform at such a level every day is the most important thing for me.

Oscar also mentioned that in junior formulas, you may have a mediocre day and still be in the lead. But that’s not the situation here.

Thus, the challenge is to strive to consistently execute at that caliber, every single day. And that, in my opinion, has been the main issue.

Piastri and Sargeant will have more chances to demonstrate their abilities in F1 equipment as the 2024 season draws near. With a new multi-year contract deal with McLaren that would keep him at the team until at least the end of 2026, the Australian’s long-term career is comparatively secured.

Since Sargeant was the final driver to have his seat confirmed for 2024, he had to spend a large portion of 2023 answering inquiries about his own future. However, he can now concentrate on enhancing his undeniable talent with consistency as his extension into the new year has been guaranteed.

Following the news of his contract extension with Williams Racing, Sargeant stated, “I am thrilled to be continuing with Williams Racing for the 2024 season.” “So far, working with the team has been an amazing experience, and I’m thankful for the chance to keep growing as a driver in the company of such a talented and committed team.”

“We have great plans for the future, and I’m looking forward to helping the team succeed in the upcoming year.”