Former Williams F1 driver Nicholas Latifi has put his racing career on pause to go back to school, the Canadian opting to pursue an MBA at the London Business School.
Latifi raced in Formula 1 between 2020 and 2022, starting 61 Grands Prix and achieving his best result when he finished seventh in the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021.
The 28-year-old lost his drive with Williams at the end of last season and has since stayed away from the fast-paced world of motorsport.
Latifi has announced that he has paused his racing career to focus on further education, having been accepted into the prestigious London Business School.
"I decided very early on in the year that I wouldn’t have any racing plans for 2023," he revealed on social media.
"It definitely felt very strange not having the same routine I’d been in for over half my life.
"Knowing that I wouldn’t be behind the wheel of a race car this year, I had obviously begun to think of what could be next for me, whether that involved racing or something completely different.
"Growing up I always had a keen interest in the world of business, and I always said it was something I would have studied at university had I not gone the racing route.
"An MBA was always something that I had contemplated doing post-racing life, even if that had been into my late 30s and early 40s.
"I began devoting my time to researching business schools and seeing which ones would be a good fit, preparing an application for them, and studying for the GMAT – a test required by most business schools to go along with your application.
"This was not an easy process and took many months! Anyone who has experienced the journey of applying to a business school knows how difficult it can be."
By opting to pursue an MBA, Latifi demonstrates his commitment to personal growth and professional development beyond the confines of the racing circuit.
The Canadian's decision not only highlights his intellectual curiosity but also shows a strategic approach to broadening his horizons and building a multifaceted career.
But Latifi hasn't closed the door on motorsport.
"This decision may seem surprising to a lot of people," he added. "Transitioning to a different racing category might have seemed the most obvious move.
"However, I knew there would always be a life post-racing at some point, and I decided that now might be a good time to prepare myself for that.
"This is not necessarily a goodbye to the racing world forever. Racing has been my life since the age of 13 and is still something I am extremely passionate about. I haven’t missed watching an F1 race yet this season!
"However, I felt like this year was the right time to explore and pursue other avenues in my life."
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