Piatstri to replace struggling Latifi at Williams team?
Apr.28 - Rumours are swirling about the future of struggling Williams driver Nicholas Latifi.
Some are speculating that the British team may be considering Alpine;s offer of loaning reigning Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri to another outfit for his F1 debut.
And while replacing the well-backed Canadian Latifi - whose father Michael owns Sofina Foods - may seem unlikely, the 26-year-old has had a particularly messy start to his 2022 season.
Williams boss Jost Capito admits Latifi's confidence has taken a big hit.
"Of course. It's a head game, isn't it?" he said.
"He's capable of driving very fast and do the same laptimes as Alex (Albon) if he is in the right place, I'm sure. The cars are a bit more difficult and trickier to drive than last year's and he has to get his head around it.
"He gets the full support from the team and we are sure he will get there."
Capito thinks some of Latifi's confidence problems were triggered by the fallout of the 2021 world championship outcome, in which he took much of the blame for the title-deciding safety car period.
"I think what impacted him most last year was the comments and the threats on social media," he said.
"We try to boost his confidence, we work with him and I think he's getting better on that."
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F..sake, if driving at 200 mph doesn't give you all the confidence you need, move over( but leave dads money and sponsorship here ), as DC repeats again and again, F1 isn't a finishing school
Shrop', with due respect for ol' Square Jaw the current WDC did indeed use F1 as a 'finishing school'. IMO, LAT's problem is that he is just not technically proficient and makes mistakes when he tries to compensate. Juxtapose that with VER's early immaturity despite his talent, thus F1 was his 'finishing school'.
Piastri replacing Latifi is something I definitely see as a plausible option (of course, he'd have to be fully contracted since Williams is an entirely independent team).
For example, a two-year deal would mean a contract expiring simultaneously with at least Ocon, if not also Alonso, thus making an Alpine return for 2025 easy.
Latifi is certainly under threat if he keeps on losing to Albon as Williams doesn't need sponsor money from drivers anymore.
My word this should have happened 18 months ago, the guy is hopeless. On the otherhand piastri is fantastic, just look at his record. Albon should be worried.
would b interesting to see piastri shape up against albon.imo both are untapped talent.could be a good pairing for williams
Three consecutive and significant championships in 3 years is evidence that Oscar Piastri is the best credentialed driver not currently participating in F1 races.
However, I believe it would be a retrograde step to initialise him into F1 racing with a current rear of the grid team. Would it have a detrimental effect on his confidence and opportunities going forward?
I would prefer he commences his F1 racing career with Alpine Renault, which is at least a team with potential to display a driver's true talent. Not sure about the current Williams team's potential to enhance his talents.
Williams have produced numerous world champions in their past history, however, I am not holding my breath waiting for their next world champion to be crowned! It's a long and winding road from the back of the grid to the front of the grid.
What does Mark Webber think, as his manager?
Didnt fo Russell any harm
What does Mark Webber think, as his manager?
Im guessing he thinks happy days , now am i on 10% or 20% of his future earnings...
I didn't know that , his manager during his f1 days was his gf and subsequently wife, nice tax scheme... but shes 13yrs older than him, not that that matters, just interesting
Didnt do Russell any harm
Well, all other arguments aside, Formula 1 is about nothing if it isn't about winning races, or at least moving up the grid.
No doubt Latifi's penchant for planting his chassis in gravel traps and course barriers is getting a bit thin.
Time to get some winning talent behind his wheel, and let Williams get SOME constructors points this season.
Perhaps he should retrain as a gardener if he likes planting that much
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