Latifi to make Williams practice debut

FIA Formula 2 Championship leader Nicholas Latifi will drive on home soil this weekend, when he takes part in First Practice for Williams F1.

The Toronto born driver has previously driven in FP1 for Force India/Racing Point in 2018, but has yet to do so as Williams Reserve. He tested for the British team in both Bahrain and Barcelona earlier in the season.

“I’m really excited to take part in my first FP1 session with the team,” said the 23-year-old. “The fact that it’s at my home GP will definitely add an extra bit of excitement but nonetheless the goal still remains the same. I want to do a good job for the team and give them the feedback they need to guide them going into FP2.

“I feel really well prepared after the three days of in-season testing I have had, along with all the work I have conducted at the factory this year, I can’t wait to hit the track!”

The DAMS driver will take over Robert Kubica’s car for his 90 minutes around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. He will be joined by last season’s F2 Champion George Russell in the other Williams. The duo will be charged with race preparation work and testing new components on the FW42.

Latifi currently leads the F2 standings with 95-points, one ahead of ART Grand Prix’s Nyck De Vries. The pair will return to action in France later in June.