After 3 years of a difficult coexistence the streets of Williams, captained by Jost Capito and the Canadian pilot Nicholas Latifi are about to separate definitively..or almost. In its place everything is ready for the announcement of Logan Sargeant, still not equipped with FIA Superlicence. Returning however to Latifi's future, still uncertain two races from the end of the season, there is a condition that Nicholas would be ready to evaluate in order to remain in the Circus again. A difficult condition to obtain especially given the last two disastrous years of the Canadian, perennially last and with the shadow of the error in Abu Dhabi 2021 that still haunts him.
After his debut in 2020, the season that is about to end has been the most disappointing for the Canadian. Only two points in the standings, the same as a rookie like Nyck de vries, in place of Albon in the Monza Grand Prix, he won at the first attempt. In such a competitive and selective environment, sooner or later, even for someone with a lot of money like Latifi, performance has to come. Despite this, Latifi could postpone his farewell to the top category, accepting a role as third driver, which he would only play under certain conditions.
The conditions to stay in F1
"The only way I'd settle for being third pilot is to have realistic options to return to F1, just think of what happened with Alex Albon Latifi said. Albon had been barred from the Red Bull after the season held in 2020, remaining a reserve driver in 2021 and arriving at Williams as an official driver in 2022. Nicholas would therefore like guarantees on a future return to the official squad, but as previously mentioned, it seems more like a utopia than anything else .
“I don't think this is the case: we are in a different situation. I wouldn't be a reserve pilot without having the opportunity to come back, I don't see myself in this long-term role” he then continued. “Some things about F1 I will miss, others not so much. I have no regrets about these three years, but I wanted to get more. Ultimately, this is a performance-driven category, and I just didn't find the consistency I needed. Some things were under my control, others not, but that's how it works in motorsport".
Compared to Albon, he had time to prove his worth. Furthermore, Albon himself, partner of Latifi, in his first year in Williams, has always finished ahead of his partner, touching the top 10 several times.
The IndyCar hypothesis
Should he not remain in F1, there would still be an alternative to evaluate for Latifi who, we recall, still has a good portfolio of sponsors that would appeal to various realities. One of these is that of overseas motorsport, Indy is a leading category. There is still no official signing of signed contracts, or concrete plans, but Nicholas has thus expressed himself on the challenges he could encounter in this new adventure.
"Having raced in Europe, there is an idea that they are dangerous, also because there have been big accidents. However the machines have improved a lot in terms of safety. If I had to race IndyCar, I'd want to race ovals, I don't want to lose useful points for the championship. If I don't do them in the first year, I will do them in the second to be able to fight for victories and titles in the future".
Source statements: FormulaPassion
