F1 News
Latifi says Williams drive will have to wait until 2020
Jake Williams-Smith
Nicolas Latifi says he will not be filling in for Robert Kubica at Williams before 2020 at the earliest.
Currently racing in Formula 2 with DAMS, Latifi is also the Williams test and reserve driver but a drive in F1 has been rumoured recently, in place of Kubica.
The Canadian admitted he has heard the rumours that he could be replacing the Pole sooner rather than later but says he is solely focused on winning Formula 2 before any F1 drive is accepted
“They’re just rumours. For me, they’re just rumours," he told Formula Spy.
"I don’t have my superlicence yet and my focus is solely on winning the Formula 2 Championship. It’s a bit unrealistic. If someone said to me “You have to drive”, then I guess I’d feel ready because I would have to drive.
"But I know I’m not in a position to be allowed to drive to begin with so from that point of view, it’s not even on my mind. All the rumours are just rumours. As far as I know and, in my opinion, nothing will happen with Williams this year. But, my goal is to arrive in Formula 1 as soon as possible.”
“I don’t have a contingency plan if that doesn’t happen. The goal is F1 and if, hypothetically, I win F2 this year I’d ideally like to arrive in Formula 1 next year and not have to take a year out like some previous Champions have had to do.
"I’m not thinking about it though – it’s Formula 1 and winning the Championship doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee that you go there. It’s timing, opportunity, luck. The goal is F1 2020, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
