Latifi stays at DAMS for 2019

Nicholas Latifi will compete in the FIA Formula 2 championship with DAMS for the fourth consecutive year in 2019. It will be Latifi's fourth full season in the sport, having completed his first season in 2016, when the series was known as GP2.

The Canadian had a handful of race outings in GP2 in 2014 and 2015 with Hilmer Motorsport and MP Motorsport respectively. The 23-year-old will handle his racing duties alongside his other role as Williams' reserve driver.

Latifi has failed to mount a title challenge in his time in F2, but says that this year his goal is to contend for the championship: “My aims for this year are quite clear, I want to compete for the driver's title and help DAMS win the team's championship," he said.

"The potential has been there for us to fight at the front, but we had some bad luck early on in 2018. My best performances came in the last few rounds, so hopefully we can continue that strong form into 2019. Driving for DAMS has given me the opportunity to showcase my abilities, which has helped in securing my F1 role with Williams, and I’m excited to be returning for another season.”

Latifi has picked up two victories in his F2 career, with one of them coming earlier this season in the Belgian sprint race. He ended the championship in ninth place after picking up a further two podiums in Baku and Sochi.

DAMS team founder Jean-Paul Driot added: “It is very satisfying to welcome back Nicholas for another year. He recovered from illness at the start of last season and his performances in the second half showed he was capable of fighting for the title. As we have done in the past, our objective is to fight for both titles. He already has one foot in F1 and we will do everything to help Nicholas into a full-time drive, as we did with [Alexander] Albon.”