Latifi shares advice on possible replacement if Russell leaves team

Williams driver George Russell is the favourite to replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes for 2022. Rumours have been circulating for some time that Bottas will not get a contract extension. Russell's teammate, Nicholas Latifi, gives his opinion on the type of driver he believes would best suit Williams' needs.

Latifi said in an interview with Express: “Obviously, the speed and being quick is one of the main things, but I think you have to have someone who knows it is still a rebuilding phase."

“Williams is definitely on the correct path to being more competitive and being more in the fight. I think as much as everyone will hope and be optimistic that it will be a big jump next year, it might not be as big a jump as we want", the Canadian driver continued.

A driver with low expectations

At the Hungarian Grand Prix last week, the team scored their first points since the 2019 German Grand Prix. Both drivers finished in the points. It was a positive result after a lot of bad luck.

Latifi continued: “I’m obviously hoping that it will be a massive jump next year, it might not be. If you have a driver who expects to win the championship or win races next year, maybe that’s not the right thing.” Among others, Nyck de Vries has been mentioned as Russell's successor, but we will have to wait and see what happens.