Nicholas Latifi said he is ready to become team leader at Williams, and now the team’s CEO Jost Capito has backed his driver up.
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Nicholas Latifi’s recent statement expressing a desire to become the team leader at Williams, has been backed by Williams CEO Jost Capito, who has hinted that the Canadian could well maintain his seat next year. Latifi had responded with a confident “yes” after being asked whether he was confident of stepping up and performing the responsibilities required to be fulfilled by a team leader, in case of George Russell leaving for Mercedes in 2022.
Capito expressed his approval over Latifi’s statement when asked for his opinion on the 26-year-old’s leadership credentials.
“I agree with him. I think he is maybe not now [ready] yet, but he is improving really race by race and I’m sure by the end of the season he is ready to do that, especially his personality is in the right spot to lead the team,” he stated as quoted by the official website of Formula 1.
Capito further stated that Latifi had developed into a vital contributor having taken a race seat in 2020, terming him and Russell as a duo who would make a formidable partnership.
“He [Latifi] works well with the engineers, he is very motivational, he is clear in his direction where he wants the car to develop and he is very much liked by the team and he is demanding,” said the Williams CEO.
“So I think also he learned a lot with George as they worked together, they spent a lot of time together on and off the track so it’s a fantastic relationship. So, I’m sure by the end of the season, Nicky will be in the position where he can lead the team,” he added.
Capito further indicated that a contract to retain Latifi for 2022 is being prepared. Both Russell and Bottas were coy about whether a decision had been made, over Russell moving over to Mercedes in place of the latter for 2022.
“No news to share at this stage. Obviously in discussions over the summer break but there’s nothing to announce one way or another this weekend and probably not next weekend either, to be honest. It’s no problem. Do things right rather than quickly, let’s say,” stated the former.
Capito stated that he was not particularly interested in getting information over whether Mercedes would take the young Williams racer.
“At the moment we are not worried about our situation, and I think Toto [Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal] will take the decision sooner or later – I believe it will be sooner. But the Williams seat seems to be a very attractive seat for every driver who hasn’t got a fixed seat for next year,” he stated.
“And as most of the seats are not fixed for next year I think we can lean back and wait what the decision is and, when the decision is taken, we can get into more detailed discussions with various drivers,” concluded Capito, indicating his confidence.
