Latifi confirmed at Williams for 2020
- Published on 28 Nov 2019 08:40
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Williams has confirmed that Nicholas Latifi has joined the team as a full-time driver, replacing Robert Kubica for the 2020 season.
Kubica announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the outfit at the end of the season amid a difficult comeback in which he has been stuck at the back of the grid.
Latifi has worked as a test driver for the Grove-squad this year, while also handling Formula 2 duties. He has taken part in six FP1 sessions with Williams in 2019.
"I am thrilled to be stepping up as race driver for 2020," Latifi said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team this year, supporting them with the development of the car, and assisting wherever I can trackside and at the factory.
"I look forward to the journey ahead with the team, and I am excited to make my Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix in 2020.”
Latifi is in a battle for second place in the F2 championship, as rival Nyck de Vries wrapped up the championship last time out in Sochi.
The 24-year-old will be partnered by George Russell next year, who himself is bringing his maiden season in F1 to an end this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Deputy team principal of Williams Claire Williams added: “I am delighted to announce that Nicholas will be stepping up to the role of Race Driver to partner George in 2020.
"All of us at Williams have been immensely impressed at what he has achieved this year in FIA Formula 2, along with his commitment to the team, and the work that he has put in behind the scenes.
"Nicholas has become an established and well-respected member of Williams, and we look forward to him stepping up into this new role, as we look to fight our way back to the midfield.”
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Replies (8)
Login to replyJuJuHound
Posts: 352
"Williams (...) have been immensely impressed at what he has achieved this year in FIA Formula 2"
Oh I thought they were impressed by his pocket
Dert38
Posts: 377
Who knows who knows
xoya
Posts: 583
Surprise, surprise...
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Why not? A guy that has never won a championship in any category. The highlight of his career was last season in Formula 2 (his third season there) where he finally won races, but wasn't anywhere near winning the championship. Also why not? Williams are doing great. They don't need experienced drivers to help them develop their car. Fucking Claire did it again. I thought they could go lower than Sirotkin, but no damn it, they found a guy that hasn't won a single junior category. Hasn't even been close. Of course it's about the damn money.
xoya
Posts: 583
We couldn't expect Williams to fork out much cash for a good driver, with new rules coming and the car being on HRT levels of awfulness.
Not even combined forces of Hamilton and Verstappen could drive that car higher than 15th place.
Imho they should get as much cash as they can, sign a good development driver and an engineer or two capable of building a decent car, then focus on 2021 with 2020 being a write-off.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Agreed, but to put the blame solely on Claire is to underestimate the issue. The corruption runs way deeper than that. They need a major revamp, because right now they only race to survive.
siggy74
Posts: 194
2 way to look at this, either the team is being led from the top = Claire....
or it is being led from elsewhere, and the top has no clue... either way the buck stops at the top for being awful or incompetent....
They have no money to get out of this hole ;p and no talent to design out of the hole. short of a take over and complete change they will be at the back for some time to come. or be another oxfordshire team calling in the admin ;p
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
We must...we must purge... Williams... And slay the heretics of course. Just like what definitely I did with McLaren *dons plague doctor mask* the McLeaner must rinse Williams of corruption and disease!