Formula 2 race winner Nicholas Latifi will be given the opportunity to drive in front of his home crowd in Canada for the first time as part of his program as Force India reserve in 2018.
The Toronto native, who is part of Renault’s development program, was drafted in at the Silverstone-based team after the requirements to obtain a practice superlicence in F1 were tightened up for this year.
Though it will likely not be his only Friday appearance this season, it will be the most special for Latifi who admits he has never even driven around Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“This will be my first opportunity to experience an amazing circuit,” he said. “I’m super excited about driving the car in front of the Canadian fans and I’m sure it will be a highlight of the season.
“I will try and enjoy the moment, but I’m well aware that the priority is simply to work through the practice programme and give the team all the information they need.”
The 22-year-old will get his first chance inside the new VJM11 at the start of next month on the final day of the opening pre-season test in Barcelona which begins on February 26th.
“I’m really excited to be getting in the car so soon,” he stated. “Driving the last day of the first week is ideal because it will give me a few more days to observe how the team works and hear the feedback of Esteban [Ocon] and Sergio [Perez].
“I know that track time is critical early in the season so my goal is to make sure I give the team the best possible feedback and help with the car development.”
