Williams open to retaining Latifi, under one condition

Williams says it would be willing to retain Nicholas Latifi for 2023, if the Canadian's performances in upcoming races warrant such consideration.

Latifi is currently in his third year with Williams but is the only driver on the grid who has yet to score a championship point this season.

Williams has already extended Alex Albon's contract with the team for 2023. But earlier this summer, the British outfit's second seat was coveted by Alpine as an interim solution for its reserve driver Oscar Piastri.

But that potential scenario was scrapped when F1's driver market went into overdrive following the announcement of Fernando Alonso's transfer from Alpine to Aston Martin.

A month ago, Latifi's F1 future looked bleak, but circumstances and the Canadian's improved performances appear to have handed the well-funded 27-year-old a lifeline for 2023.

"For us it was interesting to watch this mess from the outside as we have no involvement in that,” said Williams Racing boss Jost Capito, referring to F1's ebullient driver market.

"We have our two drivers, we announced Alex. I think he handled our drivers very well. Also with Nicky, he’s improved a lot in recent races.

"He is willing to continue with us and we would be willing to continue with him.

"He has now another three European races where he can prove he can get better with the car, get more confident with the car.

"He was on a good way recently. If he uses the brakes properly and shows his performances, there is a good chance of us being with him next year."

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But Latifi isn't Williams' only in-house solution for 2023, with Capito keeping an attentive eye on the development of its American protégé Logan Sargeant who will make his FP1 debut in Austin later this year.

“On the other hand, we have our own young drivers," Capito said. "We have Logan, he’s having a fantastic season in F2, he was a bit unlucky recently.

"But he has a good chance to get the points for the Superlicence for next year. I think we are sorted with drivers and have good options."

However, could Daniel Ricciardo's availability for 2023 represent an enticing proposition for Williams?

"We discuss with everybody and see what’s going on," concluded Capito. "We have no rush and we won’t take a decision, at earliest, until after Monza."

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