Charouz were ‘capable’ of top five without Qualifying traffic, says Sargeant

Despite scoring his lowest Qualifying performance for Charouz Racing System to date, Logan Sargeant feels the team have made “a good step forward” in Spielberg, even suggesting that they had the pace for a top-five finish.

Round 2 wasn’t the strongest of showings from Sargeant, with the American taking fourth in Race 1 at Le Castellet before failing to score points in the following two races.

Sargeant came away from Qualifying at the Red Bull Ring in a much happier place, though, finishing 12th to earn reverse grid pole for Race 1, with a car that he feels can challenge for the win.

“We were much stronger than we were in Paul Ricard. We’ve made a good step forward,” he said. “I think the car was very capable of being in the top five today if we had gotten a clear lap.

“It was always going to be tough in that last sector. It was tight and no one helped each other. It was really difficult to find a lap and that’s really what ruined our Qualifying.

“Even though it didn't happen, it is still positive that the speed is there and that it is getting better. The other positive is that we are starting on pole tomorrow. We just need to utilize that. I believe we have good pace, so we will try and win the race.”

Sargeant has plenty of experience in fighting at the front from his time with PREMA Racing in 2020, when he challenged for the title and finished third overall with two wins.

Lining up on the front row for the first time since his switch to Charouz, he believes that his decision making will be a key factor.

“I think that we have got the car in a good window now,” he continued. “It will just be about fine-tuning the car for the race run.

“After that, it will be for me to make the right decisions and to drive well. I don't think that will be a problem, I think it’s doable. We'll do our best."