Nicholas Latifi was dealt a troublesome hand when he made his System 1 debut in 2020.
He arrived at a Williams crew the place George Russell had already made himself nicely at dwelling, comfortably out-performing Robert Kubica over the course of 2019. And whereas the crew’s FW43 was an enchancment over its predecessor – it may hardly have did not be – it was not a aggressive proposition. Then the pandemic struck, disrupting Latifi’s construct as much as a season during which he was the one newcomer on the grid.
So it was little shock that Russell confirmed him the best way at first. In 2021 there have been some indicators of encouragement Latifi had discovered his kind, significantly as he capitalised on a chaotic race in Hungary to ship a badly-needed factors haul. With Russell off to Mercedes and Alexander Albon sliding into the opposite Williams, this season was Latifi’s probability to display he deserves a long-term future in F1.
However he hasn’t made good on that chance. As F1 reached the summer season break, the truth that Latifi stays the one driver to have began each race this season with out scoring signifies is telling.
It’s clear that Williams has taken a step backwards with its FW44. The crew has had extra problem escaping Q1 than its rivals.
On the similar time, it’s additionally clear Albon has constantly reached its limits extra frequently than Latifi. The qualifying scoreline – 11-1 in Albon’s favour – is probably the most one-sided within the subject in the intervening time. Albon has constantly led his crew mate dwelling on race days too.
Latifi vs Albon race-by-race
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The British Grand Prix is the one event to this point the place Latifi managed to out-qualify his crew mate. On that event, Albon was the one one of many pair driving Williams’ closely up to date FW44, and in concept ought to have been faster, however with restricted set-up time was knocked out in Q1 on a moist monitor.
Latifi needed to make do with the older Williams for 2 races earlier than getting his fingers on the brand new {hardware}. It could but show to be the uplift his season was ready for. He clearly lacked confidence within the authentic automotive early within the season, a degree which got here up a number of occasions when he spoke to the media.
Nonetheless it’s extensively identified Williams was sizing up Oscar Piastri for Latifi’s cockpit till sudden actions within the driver market offered the chance for him to go elsewhere. Latifi joined Williams underneath the crew’s earlier administration when the backing he introduced from his sponsors was badly wanted. If the brand new regime has determined they’ll do with out that, there’s little in his performances this 12 months to make a case for maintaining him.
Latifi vs Albon season abstract
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Latifi vs Albon qualifying efficiency
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2022 F1 season
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