Latifi: Being back on Williams simulator 'felt weird' after extensive F1 2019 gaming

  • Published on 17 Jun 2020 18:20
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Nicholas Latifi says transitioning back to Williams' Formula 1 simulator “felt weird” after spending considerable time playing the F1 2019 video game during lockdown.

Ahead of the start of the 2020 F1 season next month, teams are beginning preparations for the upcoming campaign, with factories now opened once more after a forced seven-week closure amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Some of the F1 drivers, including Latifi, took to the official F1 2019 game to entertain fans over the last three months by racing in the Virtual GP series and other mini championships.


MORELatifi aiming to push Russell 'as soon as possible'


The Canadian driver, who is the only rookie in the F1 field this year, enjoyed his first day back at Williams' factory in Grove on Tuesday, where he returned to the simulator to begin preparations for Austria.

“My first day back at the office was a busy one,” Latifi wrote in a blog post for his official website. “As soon as I arrived I had a COVID-19 test to make sure I don’t have the virus right now. I then need to be tested again at the end of this month before heading to the Red Bull Ring.

“The test itself was fine – certainly not as invasive and uncomfortable as I thought it might be! The rest of my day was taken up with some sim work and media duties.

“We did a lot of correlation work against our previous running in the sim and we also continued the general prep work for Austria and Budapest. I drove for a total of three hours in the sim.

“Initially, it felt weird to be back in a proper set-up rather than driving the F1 game on my home rig. It’s a totally different experience.

“It took a few laps to get back up to speed and to dial out some of the driving habits you pick up on the F1 game. Let’s put it this way, you wouldn’t get away with them in real life!”

Despite the factory being less occupied than usual due to many staff working from home, Latifi says it was a “superb feeling” to be back in the groove.

“The factory itself was quite empty because there’s still a lot of people working from home. But it was a superb feeling to get back to some proper work,” he said.

“Everyone I saw was very excited and positive to return. For many of them it was their first day back as well and I could clearly see the fresh motivation on their side.”

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:26

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:26

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Williams
  • Points 9
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 61
  • Country CA
  • Date of b. Jun 29 1995 (29)
  • Place of b. Toronto, CA
  • Weight 74 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar