The Williams team has confirmed that Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi will not be retained for the 2023 Formula 1 season.
Latifi, who has a career-best finish of seventh at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, has failed to build on his previous year with the Canadian driver being outperformed by teammate Alex Albon on a regular basis.
In fact, Latifi remains the only full-time driver on the grid yet to score a point in 2022 with even one-off substitute Nyck De Vries managing to finish in the points during his sole outing at the Italian Grand Prix.
“Williams Racing and Nicholas Latifi today confirm that they will part ways at the end of the 2022 season at the conclusion of Nicholas’ current contract,” the team said in a statement.
“Nicholas made his Formula 1 debut with Williams Racing at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix and has so far made 55 Grand Prix starts, scoring 7 championship points, including his debut points scoring finish at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
“After confirming that Alex Albon will continue for next year and beyond, Williams Racing will announce its full 2023 driver line-up in due course.”
Latifi cities Hungary result as unforgettable
Having first signed for the team in 2020, Latifi was forced to put his F1 debut on hold due to the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following a difficult first season where he was consistently outpaced by current Mercedes driver George Russell, Latifi improved in his second full season with last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix the high point of his career so far.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Williams Racing – all the people back at the factory and those I work with trackside – for the last three years,” Latifi said.
“My initial F1 debut was postponed due to the pandemic but we eventually got going in Austria and, although we have not achieved the results together we hoped we would, it’s still been a fantastic journey.
“Getting those first points in Hungary last year was a moment I’ll never forget, and I will move onto the next chapter of my career with special memories of my time with this dedicated team.
“I know none of us will stop putting in every effort until the end of the season.”
With Albon confirmed for 2023, Williams are currently evaluating their options for 2023 with De Vries and Williams junior Logan Seargeant two possible contenders for the second race seat.
