Nicholas Latifi says his subsequent transfer after Components 1 has but to be finalized however that IndyCar is the apparent course for his profession to move in, and that he would need to compete in all races if he did so.
The Williams driver will depart F1 on the finish of this season after three powerful years with an uncompetitive workforce. Latifi has scored 9 factors up to now — seven final season and two this — however will probably be changed by Logan Sargeant in 2023 and isn’t remaining in F1. Whereas he doesn’t see himself as a reserve driver long-term, the Canadian admits IndyCar is the standout class to focus on however insists he has no agency plans in place but.
“In the meanwhile I’m holding all of the choices and evaluating all of the choices in that sense,” Latifi instructed F1’s “Past the Grid” podcast. “It’s clear that the obvious route — or what looks like the obvious path to most followers and other people from the surface — is making the change to IndyCar. It’s nonetheless system vehicles, it’s extraordinarily top-level racing, it’s a really thrilling collection.
“I can say personally it’s the collection I get pleasure from watching probably the most outdoors of F1 — when I’ve an off weekend from F1 I get pleasure from watching the IndyCar races. It’s clearly very thrilling, shut racing; it’s spec racing like a extra superior Components 2 championship. However there’s additionally different avenues as nicely.
“I haven’t dedicated to something. If I’m going off a number of stories from every week or so in the past I’m already dedicated and signed a deal and that’s what I’m dong, however that’s not the case!
“It was really fairly humorous in Austin, so many people who find themselves followers had been like, ‘Congrats on the IndyCar deal!’ and it was all simply in strolling and passing (by), so at some stage I’m not going to say ‘Oh it’s not true’ to all people as a result of I can’t actually be bothered, it was developing a lot! I haven’t selected something but — there’s choices in numerous classes.”
Ought to Latifi make the change to the NTT IndyCar Collection, the 27-year-old says he would need to race on ovals to compete for your entire season and provides himself the perfect likelihood of success.
“Being a system automotive driver racing in Europe, you get molded to the opinion that system automotive racing on ovals is harmful, and for positive it’s extra harmful than racing on avenue tracks or street tracks, let’s say. If I used to be to do ovals I might remember that that is clearly extra harmful — there have been some very high-profile incidents however lately the vehicles have taken huge steps in security as they all the time do, identical to Components 1 does.
“If I used to be to do IndyCar, I might need to do the ovals as a result of I wouldn’t need to take myself out of potential championship factors. Particularly if I used to be to do it for a number of years, if I didn’t do ovals the primary yr then the second yr I might be doing them I might be having to be taught and get on high of it. Arguably once you’re in additional of a place to struggle for podiums and wins and championships, you’re nonetheless at an obstacle for fairly a number of races.
“I did have the opinion sooner or later that they’re very harmful and unsafe. In recent times much less so, however it’s positively one thing I might need to do. I feel there’s solely 4 races now which can be ovals, however I’d positively need to do all of the races.”
