Latifi dismisses 'quite funny' news of move to IndyCar

Nicholas Latifi says rumors of his move to IndyCar in 2023 are just a piece of "quite funny" gossip as the outgoing Williams driver hasn't yet decided in which category he will apply his skills.

Last month, Latifi was informed by Williams that he did no figure in the Grove-based outfit's plans for next season.

The 27-year-old Canadian's three-year career in Formula will therefore grind to a halt after next month's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

But this week, rumors of Latifi's impending move to Chip Ganassi Racing's IndyCar squad where he would fill a seat left vacant by Jimmie Johnson, popped up on social media.

"Honestly, I’m still not committed to anything, I haven’t signed anything, I’m still not any further along in having concrete news to share," said Latifi ahead of this weekend's round of racing in Austin.

"I saw the news over the past days that I’ve already signed a contract to race in IndyCar which I found a little bit funny.

"But I’ve spoken to a few different teams in different categories and I’ve still not said to myself, ‘OK, it’s this or nothing’-type thing. So there’s still a lot of things that are up in the air.

• Read also: Williams wants 'someone who will push' Albon along in 2023

"In a way it’s a bit… ‘annoying’ is not the word, but obviously most of my focus is still on finishing off the rest of the year on as high note as possible and end this chapter with Williams on the positive side," added Latifi.

"Obviously a lot of other series have been finished now for quite a while and things move fast in motorsport and it’s a time when everyone wants to get their drivers and situations sorted as soon as possible.

"It still has not really been that long ago that I officially found out [I was being released]… It was just before Singapore.

"So yeah, there’s still some discussions ongoing but nothing ready to announce."

Latifi admitted that he didn't have a clear idea of where his career will take him next. But racing formula cars isn't a priority.

"I’m looking at not just formula cars but also endurance racing," he said. "I’m not, ‘100 percent I want to do this championship or this championship.’

"It’s just kind of hearing and trying to understand what’s the situation for teams and championships, what that might look like for me and my life as well for the future. I need to make a decision for myself and then narrow in on that."

While dismissing the rumors of his transfer to IndyCar, Latifi made clear that racing in the Dallara spec-car series is an appealing prospect.

"Yes, it’s definitely one of the appeals of the series," he said. "Obviously, spec racing, everyone has more of an equal opportunity.

"It’s something that no doubt I’ve been missing the past few years.

"Every now and then we’re in a position where we’re slightly more competitive for a race and we might have a few on-track battles but obviously we’re not doing that in every race – more often than not, that’s not the case.

"So that for sure is what I’ve been missing, and yeah, I’d definitely be looking forward to that if I was to join a series where it is more equal."

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