Nicholas Latifi says his late start to motor racing is why he’s come into the sport at an older age than many recent newcomers to the sport.
The 24-year-old was confirmed today as Williams’ new driver for the 2020 F1 season. He is older than each of the three rookies who entered F1 this year: Lando Norris (19), George Russell (21) and Alexander Albon (22).“If I was to have gone into Formula 1 two or three years ago I wouldn’t have felt as ready, as prepared, as I do now,” said Latifi. He pointed out he didn’t begin karting until he was a teenager, which is much older than most other F1 drivers.
“I think a lot of people don’t realise that I started racing quite late in terms of karting. So [in terms of] my ‘motor sport age’, let’s say, I only started racing cars at 13 years old.
“You compare it to guys like, to take the extreme cases [Max] Verstappen even Esteban [Ocon], I think they both were in a kart at four years old.
“So when you take into consideration from when I started to when I’m in F1, let’s say it’s about 12 years, this is the same for a guy like Max: 17 years old, 13 years from when he started driving. You go up the list and a lot of the established guys and it’s about right.
“Compared to the more recent rookies, I’m definitely on the older side. But in terms of my experience level of motorsport, I think it’s right for me. I feel prepared and the most ready I’ve ever been and ready to make the step up.”
[icon2019autocoursempu]Latifi said he was surprised to learn he’d been given the drive for next year. “I don’t think my reaction was very expressive, but internally I was really, really surprised,” he said.
“For me it was a dream come true. I’ve been racing for almost half my life now and it’s something I’ve been working towards for that amount of time. So to have it be real now, it’s finally happened, it’s a bit of a surreal feeling.
“Each one of those steps: When I was told that was going to happen, the announcements, signing the contract, it’s kind of bit-by-bit been building. And honestly, I still think up until Melbourne when the lights go out on the grid, that’ll probably be the last little tick: ‘now it’s happened, now it’s done’.”
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spoutnik (@spoutnik)
28th November 2019, 12:59
And also the right money to replace an unexisting talent, what a waste imo.
Hal
28th November 2019, 13:08
I wish him the best and hopefully he will make me eat my words. But… very likely just another barely decent pay driver.
Luke S (@joeypropane)
28th November 2019, 13:41
The Canadian Jolyon Palmer.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
28th November 2019, 21:31
@joeypropane: LOL! Does have a great ring to it. Maybe sell the motto to Sky F1.
Jelle van der Meer (@)
28th November 2019, 14:06
An very easy bet that he will be the 2020 Rookie of the Year :-)
For me Alexander Albon is the 2019 Rookie of the Year – already doing great at Toro Rosso and mid season jumping in the Red Bull and very consistent getting points (till Lewis hit him).
For me he is just ahead of Lando Norris.
Heri
28th November 2019, 14:58
i am sure he will be the rookie of the year. the one and only 2020 rookie
Ericglo
28th November 2019, 16:47
I am not sure why there is all the hate for Nicholas. He can’t be any worse than the worst driver on the grid – Kubica.
Maybe he wasn’t the greatest driver in F2, but last time I checked Stoefel was pretty pathetic when he moved up.
W (@vishnusxdx)
28th November 2019, 17:44
Maybe you look into the ’17-’18 McLaren situation some more. Alonso pracitally run that team, actively hurting every honest opportunity on fair strategies and/ or machinery.
The guy won everywhere else, pretty heavily and in dominant fashion.
Ericglo
28th November 2019, 21:39
LOL, what other conspiracy theories do you have?
MtlRacer (@mtlracer)
28th November 2019, 17:52
TWO Canadian drivers next year, but I’m sure TV coverage will still be mediocre at best by TSN… no effort to time commercials better and not cut-off commentators mid-sentence, no 4K broadcasts (in spite of channel for 4K that is idle 99% of the time), and probably still forbidden to subscribe to F1 TV Pro due to contract rights.
Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
28th November 2019, 21:35
@mtlracer: Could be worse. They could hire Don Cherry to do the commentary in-studio. Rock ’em sock ’em racing on TSN! ;-)
Robbie (@robbie)
29th November 2019, 5:28
Lol…Grapes is available. Babcock too as his sidekick.
Fast (@fast)
28th November 2019, 19:14
he’s less irritating than the other canadian yet still in f1 due to wealth assisted merit. which highlights hamilton’s latest assertions in how motorsports has been over-run with money over talent. since this is unlikely to abate & drivers are younger than ever, my solution would be to test their intellect much like an LSAT of SAT & also base progression up the ranks on their scores. this will force parents to keep educating their kids & return a financial parity to the junior ranks. it is a well-known fact among aficionados & industry insiders alike that every world-champion has been smarter than the average bear.
Stephen Szikora
29th November 2019, 14:21
I remember when the average F1 driver age on debut was 27. They were hard men and drove like it, not like the little boys we have today.