Latifi lands Force India test chance, Canada GP FP1 outing

Nicholas Latifi will take part in the opening pre-season Formula 1 test at Circuit de Catalunya plus an FP1 outing at his home race in Canada next June for Force India alongside his second season in the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2018.

Latifi was announced as the Silverstone-based squad’s reserve and test driver last January and has outlined his initial on track involvement with the F1 team. The 22-year-old will take be on driver duties at the first F1 test in Barcelona next week alongside Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon plus an FP1 outing at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The Canadian driver, who will also contest F2 with DAMS this year, is relishing the chance of driving in F1 at his home race as well as his testing debut for Force India in Spain. In 2016 Latifi joined Renault's F1 driver squad and took part in last year's in-season Hungary test.

“I’ve never raced or even driven at the track so this will be my first opportunity to experience an amazing track. 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,” Latifi said. “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.”

“I’m really excited to be getting in the car so soon. I will be driving the last day of the first week, which 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.”

Force India is expected to change its F1 team name to Force ahead of pre-season testing and while no official launch has been confirmed by the British team it is expected to produce a roll out on the opening morning of the first test on February 26.