Here's why firing Latifi in 2022 is not a crazy idea for Williams

Oscar Piastri is being linked with Nicholas Latifi's seat at Williams. Ted Kravitz heard rumors about 2023, but there are even sounds about a transfer in 2022. GPblog finds out why Williams would be interested in this option and what kind of opportunities it offers for Alpine and Piastri.

Silly Season

A 'shocking' driver change is on the way. Spanish Formula One journalist Albert Fabrega dropped a 'bombshell' on Sunday night. The journalist was not allowed to say which team or which driver would be involved, but a driver would be dropped and replaced by a 'surprising' name from another team.

Since Fabrega did not mention a name, the guessing game soon began. The Spaniard stated that he was not surprised that the person was expelled from the team and that indicates only one man in early 2022: Latifi. The Canadian is severely underperforming (again) and that might be the straw that breaks the camel's back for Williams' new and ambitious owners: Dorilton Capital. Alexander Albon has shown what is possible with the FW44.

The link with Piastri is then quickly made after the rumor Kravitz had heard. He revealed to Sky Sports that people at Williams were looking at whether Piastri could be plucked from Alpine as the replacement for Latifi. The rumors Kravitz heard were about 2023, but with the rumor of Fabrega, this could also be accelerated.

Williams wants to move up

From Williams' point of view, the approach is not crazy. Since Dorilton Capital took over the team, the resources are there at the team to no longer rely on pay-drivers. Latifi was allowed to keep his seat by Jost Capito, who even made a case for the Canadian. According to the team boss, the Williams driver was underestimated because George Russell performed so well, but the difference between the two was not that big, according to him.

Now that Albon is making his return to F1 at Williams after a gap year in 2022 and is outperforming Latifi every session, those words from Capito don't seem worth so much after all. Besides being too slow, Latifi has already caused his team a lot of work through several crashes. In view of the budget cap, all those crashes are not nice either, as it prevents the team from focusing on updates.

Williams needs a good driver. Albon shows that with a good strategy the Williams car can come close to scoring points and the team from Grove needs them. Despite the big rule changes, the team is back at the bottom. Latifi is not the driver who will get something extra out of it, so all responsibility rests on Albon's shoulders.

Upgrade for Latifi

With Piastri, Williams might just manage to contract the fastest driver without an F1 seat. As a rookie, the Australian became successively champion in Formula 3 and Formula 2, but as part of the Alpine Academy was denied a spot at the main team. Because he had already become champion in F2, he is no longer allowed to compete there and is on Alpine's list as a reserve. An opportunity for Williams to strengthen the line-up.

Williams will have to see if it can secure the driver for a longer period of time. Red Bull already has an option to bring back Albon in 2023, so if Piastri also remains linked to Alpine, Williams has very little security for the future. It is helped by the fact that Alpine also has little choice.

Alpine saved from a blight?

For the French racing team, this is an ideal way out of a predicament. The team had fun starting up a training program, but really no place for top talent in F1. Now with Piastri it has perhaps the greatest talent of his generation, but there is no place for him at Alpine. Esteban Ocon still has a contract until 2024 and Fernando Alonso would like to stay longer in F1.

If Williams knocks on the door, Alpine would do well to give Piastri away. The French team has indicated it is open to loaning him out to other teams, but it would be good for all parties to leave Piastri at Williams for longer. Give him to Williams at least until 2024 and then review the situation again. By then Ocon will be running out of his contract and Alonso may have gotten enough out of F1 in the midfield.

Still a chance for Piastri

Of course, this would be a godsend for Piastri. He was disappointed that he couldn't get into F1 and does demand that Alpine gives him a seat in F1 in 2023. With Williams, there may be a new option coming his way where he can prove himself. There is little to lose with the FW44 and Albon is also the ideal teammate.

The Thai is fast, has experience at Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri and also has experience as a simulator driver. Still, he is not the very fastest driver in the paddock and thus an ideal benchmark for the Australian. If he can match or even beat Albon in his first or second year in F1, perhaps even brighter doors will open than just the one at Alpine.

Win-win for all parties

While it's not common to switch drivers during the season, in this case it wouldn't be crazy. Latifi has been given a chance and proven once again that he is not good enough for the top. With the poor car and the luxury position of new owners, it would be wise of Williams to part with him.

With Piastri, Williams will almost certainly get a better driver in the lineup who, provided Alpine approves, could be a strong addition to the lineup for seasons to come. Like Russell earlier, he could propel the team to greater heights, along with the experienced Albon.

For Alpine, it is an ideal way out after failing to arrange a place for the greatest talent of a generation on its own. In that respect, it also owes it to Piastri to cooperate with all of Williams' demands, even if it means they might not be able to bring the Australian back in 2023 or 2024.

For Piastri, it would be an ideal move. At Williams, he steps in with no preparation, but also no pressure. With Albon as an ideal benchmark, all he has to do is focus on him and make sure he's as close to it as possible. He did prove in F2 and F3 that he doesn't need long to be fast.