WANTAGE, England –
Formula 1 team Williams is releasing Toronto driver Nicholas Latifi when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Williams announced on Friday who will replace Latifi, 27, whose crash at last season’s Abu Dhabi GP sparked a chaotic one-lap restart that saw Max Verstappen overtake Lewis Hamilton to win the title.
Latifi has yet to score a point this season.
He was clearly outperformed by Nyck De Vries, who stood in for Alex Albon at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago and finished ninth with two points.
Latifi is in his third season at Williams and his best finish was seventh at last year’s Hungarian GP.
“Although together we didn’t achieve the results we had hoped for, it was still a fantastic journey. Getting those first points in Hungary last year was a moment I will never forget,” said Latifi. “I will enter the next chapter of my career with special memories of my time with this dedicated team. I know that none of us will stop giving everything until the end of the season.”
Latifi was a popular but error-prone rider who stole the spotlight at last year’s Abu Dhabi GP.
Hamilton was on his way to victory and an all-time eighth F1 title when Latifi crashed his Williams car into a wall with a few laps to go.
It resulted in a safety car, then a one-lap restart, and late drama ensued as Verstappen passed Hamilton on fresh tires to win the world title in one of the most controversial moments in F1 history.
Latifi was abused on social media and even threatened with murder. On a trip to London with his girlfriend, he hired a bodyguard.
Williams team boss Jost Capito praised Latifi’s commitment to his profession.
“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to say a big thank you to Nicholas for his three years of hard work with Williams,” said Capito. “He is a great team player who has a great attitude towards his colleagues and his work, and is loved and respected throughout the company. Our time together is now coming to an end, but I know he will give his all to maximize what we can do together.”
Latifi’s departure could open the door for De Vries to get the seat alongside Albon for 2023 and beyond, with Albon tied to a multi-year deal.