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The recent Emilia Romagna Grand
Prix would see both Williams Racing drivers retire with the pair been
involved in their own crashes. The circumstances of these crashes were
completely different but the common thread was the fact that both drivers
would make contact with another driver seeing them crash into a barrier. Not
the result that the team was hoping for but despite this there were a list
of positives to come from the weekend.
One of these was the vastly improved performance from Nicholas Latifi
covering his practice and qualifying efforts. Nicholas would move into the
second period of qualifying for just the second time is his career after
practice sessions that saw a promising turn of speed. Such were his
performances that he looked the faster of the two Williams drivers over
Friday practice.
Even though the status quo with his team-mate George Russell returning to
normal on the Saturday with George again quicker it was a marked step
forward for Nicholas. George would comment: "Nicholas had the upper hand on
me every single lap this whole weekend, I was just confused as to why."
Despite both drivers failing to deliver on their improved performance
leading up to the race the team still took a lot away from the weekend not
only in terms of the improved performance of the FW43B coming from updates,
including a new floor, but how Nicholas was able to make a step forward in
terms of being able to use the improved performance from the car.
Head of Vehicle Development Dave Robson commented on the improved
performance from Nicholas by saying that he felt the improved car as well as
the improved conditions found at the Imola track certainly helped Nicholas,
"that certainly helped".
"I think he was quick here out of the box in October as well when we came,
so I think for whatever reason, he's comfortable here in Imola.
"But for sure, having that confidence in the car definitely helps. Nicky
needs that kind of momentum through the weekend, and he had it here.
"And even when he had a little blip in FP3, we got him back out and he was
straight back on it. It really didn't perturb him at all, either in terms of
his faith in the car or what was going on in his mind.
"He just had tremendous mental strength and a great approach all weekend."
With the Portuguese Grand prix the next round of the 2021 season the big
test will be whether Nicholas can take his improved showing at Imola and
continue this. In 2020 George would have the upper hand over Nicholas now
the big question is whether or not Nicholas can again show that he is an
improving driver worthy of keeping his seat at Williams. |
