Nicholas Latifi’s Formula 1 career appears to be at an imminent risk; the Canadian has struggled at Williams so far in 2022 and has been out-performed by new team-mate Alex Albon.
Latifi’s third season at the famous British team has gotten off to a dreadful start, the 26-year-old is yet to score a point this season whilst Albon continues to rack them up.
Latifi will need to perform at the next few races, starting with this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix should he wish to stay in the sport.
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Rumours have already begun circulating that he may even be replaced mid-season, with Alpine F1 Team reserve driver Oscar Piastri a real possibility.
Reigning Formula E champion Nyck de Vries is another contender, the Dutchman will actually be taking part in FP1 for Williams this weekend as part of the mandated young driver sessions.
Ahead of this weekend though, Latifi has discussed the “big sacrifice” non-European drivers have to make in order to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
Despite the sport having more and more races away from Europe, most notably in America and the Middle East, non-European drivers like Latifi and Daniel Ricciardo are forced to relocate to Europe at a young age.
As well as Latifi and Ricciardo, a number of other drivers including Lance Stroll, Sergio Pérez and Guanyu Zhou all relocated to Europe at a young age to work up the racing ladder and connect with potential employers.
Latifi explained the journey drivers like himself have to take to reach Formula 1.
“It’s definitely a very big commitment,” said the Canadian driver.
“Not only for North Americans – I mean, obviously Daniel [Ricciardo] can relate to that quite a lot as well.
“It’s definitely a big sacrifice. You move away from your family and friends and your home from a very young age.
“Racing in Europe in the junior series, on the weekends most of the other drivers are able to take an hour or a two-hour flight home, see their family and friends in the off-time, and that obviously was not a luxury for me and I’m sure for Checo or Lance or Daniel,” continued Latifi.
“So it is difficult, and it’s something that comes with the territory. It’s something I was very happy to do, to pursue my passion.
“So I guess any driver that’s not really European-based, whether they are in the junior series or already racing at a high level, it is a commitment.
“I’m sure if they want to make that step, it’s something they will be happy to do because obviously this is the pinnacle and I’m sure most drivers would love to be in that position.” concluded the 26-year-old.