Logan Sargeant Crashes Heavily in Dutch Grand Prix Practice

 Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)
Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)
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Logan Sargeant Crashes Heavily in Dutch Grand Prix Practice

 Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)
Williams driver Logan Sargeant of the US walks away from his car after he crashed during the third free practice ahead of the Formula One Dutch Grand Prix race at the Zandvoort racetrack, Netherlands, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP)

Logan Sargeant crashed heavily in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday, leaving his car on fire with severe damage and putting his participation in qualifying in doubt.

Sargeant seemed to lose control of his Williams after putting one wheel onto the wet grass on the entry to a right-hand corner, before veering off to the left and spinning into a metal barrier.

He walked away from the car as flames spread across the rear and smoke poured from the air intake.

The session, taking place in wet conditions, was red-flagged almost immediately before marshals extinguished the fire and loaded the car onto a truck.

It's the latest in a series of crashes for F1's only American driver. Sargeant crashed at the Canadian Grand Prix in June and collided with Kevin Magnussen at the Miami Grand Prix in May. He also crashed in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix in April.

Sargeant is being replaced at Williams by Carlos Sainz Jr. for 2025.

Qualifying is later Saturday for the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.



Villa Must Avoid Newcastle’s Fall from Top Four Fate, Boss Emery Says

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
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Villa Must Avoid Newcastle’s Fall from Top Four Fate, Boss Emery Says

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)

Aston Villa must learn from Newcastle United's past struggles after their Champions League qualification and focus on closing the gap at the top of the Premier League standings, manager Unai Emery said ahead of Saturday's home game against Arsenal.

Villa started their league season with a 2-1 victory at West Ham United last weekend. They finished fourth last season, which means they will compete in the Champions League this year.

Newcastle secured a top-four finish two seasons ago, but the next year Eddie Howe´s squad slipped to seventh place and missed out on European competition, as Manchester United´s FA Cup victory secured the final European spot.

"Last year Newcastle were playing in the Champions League, two years ago they were in the top four, but they didn’t get it last year for different reasons," the Spaniard told reporters.

"We want to avoid some circumstances that could lead us the same way like Newcastle or other teams in the past."

The increased number of matches could impact Villa's performance in this campaign, and Emery said Villa aim to secure a European berth again this season.

"This is our challenge, to keep the same structure and idea, being strong to be a contender ourselves to be in the top seven, top five or top four," the Villa manager added.

"Because our objective of course is to be in Europe regularly, consistently, and if we are in the Champions League we can achieve our dreams again."