Latifi aiming to push Russell 'as soon as possible'

  • Published on 21 May 2020 08:54
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Nicholas Latifi says he is aiming to get up to speed in Formula 1 and push his teammate George Russell as soon as he possibly can. 

After a number of years racing in the FIA Formula 2 championship, Latifi signed with Williams as a full-time driver in 2020, having spent last year as a test driver.

His teammate Russell had his maiden season in F1 in 2019, but was stuck at the back of the field as Williams struggled to compete against its rivals, picking up just a single point throughout the entire season.

When asked by Sky F1 what he is aiming for during his first year in the championship, Latifi said: “It's a difficult one, we're not exactly sure as a team where we are going to be on the grid.

“We know we had a good pre-season test and it's a step forward from last year, but it will be difficult to say 'I want to finish in this position'.

“All I can say is I have my teammate as a reference, he has the same car as me. Like any racing driver you want to beat your teammate.

“So I want to beat George but I'm also aware that going into F1 as a rookie it's very difficult. I know he's going to have the advantage in the first races, but I definitely want to get on pace with him and push him as soon as possible and help the team get further up the grid.”

'Australian GP weekend felt like a movie'

Latifi was originally set to take part in his first grand prix in Melbourne two months ago, before the Australian GP was cancelled just hours before the opening practice session went began.

Speaking about the weekend, Latifi admits that the situation at the time didn't feel real and seemed like “something out of a movie”.

“It was very weird. Now that it has been a few months since we've been in the situation, it definitely feels real. But when it first happened, it definitely didn't feel real,” Latifi said.

“It felt like something out of a movie, and then seeing the coming weeks, how everything was changing and evolving so quickly, I couldn't wrap my head around it.

“At the end of the day, regardless of the fact that it was going to be my debut in F1, it was still the same situation for everyone else. 

“It was very disappointing for sure. It was a long build-up to that, we were a day away from driving, a few days away from getting to lights out on the grid.

“And then having it taken away was very strange but I've just been keeping ready and I know the opportunity is going to come eventually.”

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

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

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

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