Following the recent announcement that he wouldn’t be retained by Williams in 2023, Nicholas Latifi is looking set to be embarking on a new motorsport journey, in IndyCar.
Latifi’s three years at the Grove-based team have frankly been a disappointment, with the Canadian having failed to consistently perform from day one.
In his three years at Williams, he’s been outclassed and outperformed by both George Russell and now Alex Albon.
The Canadian driver is talented and has shown what he can do at times throughout his short-lived time in F1, including, his recent ninth place finish at the extremely wet Japanese Grand Prix.
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However, he hasn’t achieved what the team have wanted from him, with Williams boss Jost Capito admitting that Latifi himself hasn’t been “happy” with his poor results.
Nicky drove for Williams three years now and we agreed the objectives – the kind of performance that had to be achieved throughout the year,” Capito said.
“I think Nicky wasn’t happy with not achieving these objectives and the team neither. So on both sides, it is time for a change for both.”
This weekend’s United States Grand Prix is actually a very big weekend for both Latifi and Williams, with the British team’s owners, Dorilton Capital, being from the United States.
It means that this weekend is somewhat of a home race for the team and for Academy driver Logan Sargeant, who will replace Latifi in his FP1 debut.
The Formula 2 driver is the favourite to replace Latifi next season; however, it is dependa
ent on the young American finishing in the top six of the Drivers’ Championship.
Whilst he is on-track to do this due to currently being third, Mick Schumacher is the most likely back-up option should Sargeant slip-up at the final hurdle.
Latifi probably isn’t bothered about who will replace him, especially as it’s believed he’s got himself one of the most competitive seats in America for 2023.
The Canadian driver is reportedly set to replace Jimmie Johnson at Chip Ganassi Racing for next year’s IndyCar season, something he currently can’t give “much detail” about.
“I don’t really have much detail to give you,” he said.
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“I’ve definitely been exploring all the options, let’s say.
“I was always asked ‘What if F1 doesn’t work out’ and I was always kind of ‘I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it’.
“Obviously that bridge has come this year, a few weeks ago. So I’m in the process of just kind of evaluating all the options really.”