F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Latifi fully aware that 'performance will decide everything'

Nicholas Latifi knows he'll need to extract the most from himself and his car in the upcoming races to retain his seat with Williams in 2023.

A cloud of uncertainty is hovering over the Canadian who remains the only driver on the grid to have not scored a championship point this season.

Latifi has significantly underperformed his Williams teammate Alex Albon this season. And while their was glimpse of improvement on the Canadian's side of the team's garage, his opening lap mishap at Spa last weekend will done little to boost his credit.

Williams Racing boss Jost Capito said in Spa that he would be willing to keep Latifi in his seat for 2023, if the latter's performances in F1's current triple-header - the first leg of which took place at Spa - are on the level expected by the team.

"From my side, still nothing really new to comment on or to announce," Latifi said. "I mean, I know what the objective is from my side.

"The team wants performance, I know, and obviously, that’s clear. I mean, at the end of the day, it’s going to be the performance that’s going to decide everything.

"So yeah, it’s just for me, trying to, tackle these next few races and get the most out of myself and the car, I feel, from the past few races before the summer break, it’s been on a much, much better path than it was looking at the beginning of the season.

"So, my goal is kind of continuing where I felt that I left off prior to the summer break, and showing what I can. It sounds simple. It’s obviously not simple – but, that’s what the goal is."

Latifi's next opportunity to prove his worth will be this weekend at Zandvoort.

"I’m excited to get going at Zandvoort for the second round of this triple-header," he said in Williams' Dutch Grand Prix preview.

"Going back to Zandvoort last year was very enjoyable. It’s an old-school track and probably one of the more fun single lap qualis on the calendar.

"There are high-speed corners, banked corners and it’s very narrow with little room for error which makes it a track with a lot of unique characteristics.

"The fan atmosphere really made it something special last year and I’m sure it’ll be the same again."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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