Williams have announced that they will part company with driver, Nicholas Latifi at end of 2022 F1 season.
Latifi joined Williams in 2019 as Test and Reserve Driver before he was promoted to a race seat the following season, from which he has gone on to score seven points in 55 race starts from 55 race entries which came in Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix in 2021 season.
This season though has seen the Canadian struggle with a campaign-best 12th placed finish at British Grand Prix, which has left him sat 21st in the driver standings and even behind Alex Albon’s one-off replacement driver – Nyck De Vries who scored two points on his F1 debut in Monza, Italy.
Williams have therefore decided to part company with the Canadian after three seasons but have retained Alex Albon for next season, as already announced in August.
Speaking about his impending departure from Williams at end of this season, Latifi commented: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Williams Racing – all the people back at the factory and those I work with trackside – for the last three years.
Latifi also was reflective of his delayed start to life in F1 due to the Coronavirus pandemic and worldwide lockdown, which postponed his debut until 2020 Austrian Grand Prix as he nevertheless described his time with Williams amidst poor results as “a fantastic journey.”
The 27 year-old also spoke of his pride at finishing seventh in Hungary last season, as he added: “Getting those first points in Hungary last year was a moment I’ll never forget, and I will move onto the next chapter of my career with special memories of my time with this dedicated team.”
Latifi though has vowed to continue to deliver his best until end of this season in Abu Dhabi on 20 November, as he concluded: “I know none of us will stop putting in every effort until the end of the season.”
Williams CEO and Team Principal, Jost Capito meanwhile stated that he and everyone at Williams wishes ” to say an enormous thank you to Nicholas for his three years of hard work with Williams.”
Capito proceeded to hail Latifi as “a great team player who has a great attitude towards his colleagues and work and is well liked and respected throughout the business.”
The 63 year-old though iterated that he believes Latifi will continue to deliver for the final six races of the season, as he concluded: “Our time together is now coming to an end, but I know he will put full effort in to maximise what we can do together for the remainder of this season.
“We wish him all the very best of luck for his future, both in and out of the cockpit.”
Williams will confirm Latifi’s replacement for 2023 season in due course.
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