Nicholas Latifi “looking forward to doing whatever” to help Williams’ problems

F1 News

4 January 2020 at 18:20
  • Bevan Youl

2020 Formula 1 rookie Nicholas Latifi has said that he is “looking forward to doing whatever” to help Williams improve on their problems that has seen them drop down to the back of the grid the past few years.

At the start of the hybrid era in 2014 Williams finished third in the constructors championship two seasons in a row amongst Mercedes, Ferrari and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing before dropping down to fifth in 2016 and 2017.

 
But since the start of the 2018 season they have only scored eight points, but that hasn’t hindered Latifi, who will drive alongside George Russell, from looking forward to his first year as a full-time driver.
 
“I think going into Formula 1 as a rookie is always going to be difficult and have its own challenges,” said Latifi as quoted by MotorsportWeek.
 
“I think I’m joining a great team for a first year, they have their history of developing young drivers, one of the most successful teams in Formula 1.
 
“So I think two bad years doesn’t define a team’s legacy, doesn’t define what they’re capable of.
 
“I have complete faith in everyone from what I’ve seen so far working in the team that people will get on top of the problems and hopefully be back to a more representative order.
 
“But I’m just looking forward to doing whatever I can next year to help that.”
 
Latifi, who test drove for the Grove based team throughout 2019, finished second in the Formula 2 championship last year but doesn’t expect the step up to F1 easy.
 
“For sure there are going to be challenges. I’m definitely not underestimating what the challenge of Formula 1 will be,” he added.
 
“I know I’m going to have a lot to learn, but I have had the opportunity this year to have quite a few on-track opportunities with them. I know what to expect from the car.
 
“I feel good in the team, the team environment right from my first day, I felt at home, which I think is important when you are jumping into a new team, especially a Formula 1 team. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”