FIA Formula 2 Championship driver Nicholas Latifi will drive for Williams Racing in three consecutive FP1 sessions, starting from F1 Mexico GP.
Williams confirmed Latifi for FP1 session in three consecutive F1 grand prix, starting from this weekend’s Mexico GP. The Canadian will replace Robert Kubica in Mexico, followed by George Russell in US GP and yet-to-be-confirmed driver in Brazil GP.
This will be his fourth FP1 run of the 2019 F1 season after making his debut in Canadian GP and running in French GP as well as Belgian GP. Williams plans to use Latifi for test work and data gathering after using the new front wing in Japanese GP at Suzuka.
“I’m really excited to get back in the car in Mexico as it feels like a long time since my previous outing at Spa,” said Latifi. “I got the chance to drive in Mexico last year in FP1, so I am familiar with what to expect.
“It’s quite a unique track because of the elevation, so you have a lack of grip, which makes it challenging. As always, my goal remains the same for FP1, to have a clean session and help guide the team going into FP2.”
Latifi is in line to replace Kubica from 2020 F1 season at Williams alongside Russell. He may face an opposition from Nico Hulkenberg, but it looks unlikely that the German will be hired unless things changes in the closing moment.
Williams, meanwhile, will be using Kubica, Russell and Latifi to collect as much data and utilise their feedback in preparing a better car for the 2020 F1 season. It is likely to look for another sponsor with PKN ORLEN set to leave with Kubica.
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