Nicholas Latifi is set to become this weekend in Austria the thirteenth driver from Canada to compete in F1, and the Williams rookie admits the venue and the context of his debut offer a few advantages.
In normal circumstances, F1's only newcomer on the grid would be facing the prospect of a busy schedule in Austria, laced with technical briefings, media sessions and marketing commitments.
But Formula 1's COVID-19 protocols have reduced the sport's season opening weekend to its bare necessities. While there will still be a healthy workload for Williams and Latifi, the 25-year-old will be spared the burden of the team's public relation gigs thanks to the Austrian Grand Prix taking place behind closed gates.
Furthermore, Spielberg is a familiar environment for Latifi who has raced on multiple occasions on the undulating track located in the hills of Styria, in Formula 3 as well as in Formula 2.
"It goes without saying that I am extremely excited to finally make my Formula 1e debut!" said the Canadian.
"It’s definitely not been a conventional build up to the first race of the season but these past few weeks have been good getting back into the swing of things, upping my preparations, and getting back into the factory and into the groove with the team. I feel ready and I feel prepared.
"What should help me is the fact that Austria is a track I know well," he added.
"It’s the only one I’ve competed at every year since I’ve been racing. Australia would have been a new track for me to discover – and it isn’t the easiest.
Another potential positive is that with fewer media, spectators, partners or sponsors around, I will have more time to focus on the driving.
"So much of a Formula One race weekend is taken up by all the other things you have to do besides the driving and engineering stuff. Without so much of it in Austria, I reckon it might be an easier environment."
Williams' form in pre-season testing offered a clear indication that the Grove-based outfit's FW43 is a massive improvement over its predecessor.
But like his teammate George Russell, Latifi is keeping his expectations in check, all too aware of his need to build experience.
"From a results and expectations point of view, at this point in the season it’s too early to predict much, as I really have to see where the car is going to be," he said.
"I expect my team-mate, George, to have an advantage in the early races, as he isn’t a rookie any more, but I want to push him where I can.
"In my first race I’m just going to try and take everything as it comes, step-by-step, and get up to speed quickly.
"I’m under no illusions though – I’m making my F1 race debut and there’s a lot to learn. The fact that I’ve had to wait a bit longer than planned doesn’t change anything."
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