Photo by Joe Portlock / LAT Images
Defending champion team Prema has signed Logan Sargeant as its first driver for the 2020 FIA Formula 3 season.
Eighteen-year-old Sargeant struggled in his debut FIA F3 season with Carlin this year, finishing down in 19th place in the drivers’ standings with just five points.
However, he shone at last month’s Macau Grand Prix, taking third place in the main race.
Prior to 2019, the American finished fourth in Formula Renault Eurocup in 2018, and the year before that, he finished third in British Formula 4.
Prema dominated the first year of Formula 1’s supporting third-tier series, with its three drivers locking out the top three places in the drivers’ standings.
“I am thrilled to be racing with Prema in 2020, coming off the back of their dominant season in this exciting championship,” said Sargeant.
“I’m delighted to be given the chance to continue that success into next season. We have already had a great test in Valencia, which went really well, and we got some great times out of the car and worked very well together.
“My goal for 2020 is to keep working on improving myself on and off the track and ultimately helping Prema to retain the title.”
Prema ran Sargeant in the post-season Valencia test alongside the newly-crowned Eurocup champion Oscar Piastri, Enaam Ahmed, Formula Regional European champion Frederik Vesti and Enzo Fittipaldi.
“We are very happy to welcome Logan to our team,” Prema team boss Rene Rosin said.
“He made a name for himself in karting competition and showed winning potential in all the championships he entered so far.
“For the first time in his career, he will not be a rookie in 2020, and we think his insight will be highly beneficial for him and for the whole operation.
“I am excited to see how our team is shaping up for 2020 and I can’t wait for the team to get back on track after a very successful first season in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.”
Piastri and Vesti are expected to complete Prema’s line-up, although there is yet to be official confirmation.