0
Nicholas Latifi admits he felt more “hype” on the build-up to the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year compared to Austria.
The coronavirus pandemic saw the event in Melbourne cancelled only hours before the first practice session before the following nine races of the 2020 season were called off.
The new campaign will get underway this weekend at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, with Latifi taking to the track as the field's only rookie with Williams.
MORE: Williams' initial focus on ensuring the FW43 is 'reliable and raceable'
MORE: Williams unveils revised FW43 livery for 2020 F1 season
However, the Canadian admits he was feeling more exciting heading to Melbourne four months ago.
“The excitement is still really high, but to be honest I was feeling more hyped travelling to Australia in March,” he wrote in a post for his website.
“I think it’s just because of everything that’s happened since then, with the long delay and the uncertainty about whether we were going racing this year at all.
“It’s been a three-and-a-half-month break since I was last in the car at pre-season testing, which is an unprecedented amount of time away. My last race was even longer of course, back in Abu Dhabi in December, so this weekend can’t come fast enough.”
Latifi is partnered by George Russel, who took part in his rookie campaign in 2019, impressing many despite being stuck at the rear of the field due to Williams' struggles.
Latifi acknowledges that he will be behind Russell during the initial races, but is hoping to get up to speed and push his teammate as soon as he can.
“From a results and expectations point of view, at this point in the season it’s too early to predict much, as I really have to see where the car is going to be,” he said.
“I expect my team-mate, George, to have an advantage in the early races, as he isn’t a rookie any more, but I want to push him where I can.
“In my first race I’m just going to try and take everything as it comes, step-by-step, and get up to speed quickly. I’m under no illusions though – I’m making my F1 race debut and there’s a lot to learn. The fact that I’ve had to wait a bit longer than planned doesn’t change anything.”
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
5,754 comments on Williams
1 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Nicholas Latifi
158,025 comments on Williams 39 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Williams
Replies (0)
Login to reply