ROKiT Williams Racing Signs Latifi to Complete 2020 F1 Grid

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

The last driver to complete the 2020 Formula One World Championship grid will be 24-year-old Canadian Nicholas Latifi, who will pilot the second ROKiT Williams Racing effort.

Latifi will replace Robert Kubica and become teammates with British driver George Russell after impressing the team throughout the season as he participated in six Free Practice (FP) 1 sessions as a reserved driver and has worked closely with the team at both the track and factory.

“I am thrilled to be stepping up as Race Driver for 2020,” Latifi said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team this year, supporting them with the development of the car, and assisting wherever I can trackside and at the factory. I look forward to the journey ahead with the team, and I am excited to make my Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix in 2020.”

Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams said she’s been impressed with Latifi’s accomplishments during the FP1 sessions and giving tremendous feedback of developing both the FW42 and FW43.

“I am delighted to announce that Nicholas will be stepping up to the role of Race Driver to partner George in 2020,” Williams said. “All of us at Williams have been immensely impressed at what he has achieved this year in FIA Formula 2, along with his commitment to the team, and the work that he has put in behind the scenes.

“Nicholas has become an established and well-respected member of Williams, and we look forward to him stepping up into this new role, as we look to fight our way back to the midfield.”

While the FIA F2 Championship has been won by Nyck de Vries, the battle for second is still up for grabs.

Latifi, who drives for DAMS, is currently sits second in the championship which puts him 10 points ahead of Luca Ghiotto with just the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix feature and sprint races remaining. The Canadian star has won four races with three of them being feature races at Bahrain, Baku and Hungary.

After 20 rounds, Williams only has a single point from Kubica at the German Grand Prix. Russell’s best result to date was also at Germany where he finished 11th.