Latifi set to leave Williams at end of 2022 F1 season

Nicholas Latifi will part ways with Williams Racing at the end of the 2022 season, the Grove based outfit announced the Canadian driver’s departure today.

Following the coronavirus-induced delay, Latifi made his Formula 1 debut with Williams Racing at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix and has so far made 55 Grand Prix starts. The Montreal-born driver did not score any points in his debut year, but he achieved a breakthrough at the incident-filled 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing seventh and scoring six points for Williams. This was then followed by the Belgian Grand Prix that saw Latifi finish again in the top ten, earning a further point with the ninth position.

However, the Canadian driver struggled to match the performances of his former teammate George Russell, and has been unable to keep up with the pace of his new team mate Alexander Albon, who joined Williams for this year following the departure of Russell. Latifi was also easily outperformed by former Formula E champion Nyck de Vries at Monza two weeks ago, who stood in for Albon at the recent Italian Grand Prix.

Commenting on his departure, Latifi said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Williams Racing - all the people back at the factory and those I work with trackside - for the last three years.

“My initial F1 debut was postponed due to the pandemic but we eventually got going in Austria and, although we have not achieved the results together we hoped we would, it’s still been a fantastic journey.

“Getting those first points in Hungary last year was a moment I’ll never forget, and I will move onto the next chapter of my career with special memories of my time with this dedicated team. I know none of us will stop putting in every effort until the end of the season,” the Canadian commented.

Team Principal Jost Capito said: „On behalf of the whole team, I would like to say an enormous thank you to Nicholas for his three years of hard work with Williams. He is a great team player who has a great attitude towards his colleagues and work and is well liked and respected throughout the business.

„Our time together is now coming to an end, but I know he will put full effort in to maximise what we can do together for the remainder of this season. We wish him all the very best of luck for his future, both in and out of the cockpit.