What Happened to Nicholas Latifi? The New Path Taken After F1 Career
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Explore what happened to Nicholas Latifi after his Formula 1 career, his new path at the London Business School, and his legacy in the sport. Learn about his highlights and career stats in F1.
Whether you know him as Nicholas Latifi, or perhaps by his tongue-in-cheek nickname GOATifi, it’s clear that the former Canadian Formula 1 driver has dropped off the radar since his departure at the end of the 2022 season. Latifi was replaced by American racer Logan Sargeant at Williams, but what has he been up to since leaving the world of F1? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Latifi’s life after Formula 1 and what he’s focusing on today.
What Is Nicholas Latifi Doing Now?
After three seasons in Formula 1, Nicholas Latifi has shifted his focus away from motorsport, opting for a career path outside of racing. Following in the footsteps of his father, Michael Latifi—a billionaire businessman—Nicholas has chosen to pursue an education at the prestigious London Business School.
In July 2023, Latifi announced that he would be putting his motorsport career on hold to study for an MBA at the London Business School. After a rigorous selection process that took five months, Latifi gained admission to the program. His decision to step away from racing was a significant one, marking the end of his Formula 1 journey, at least for the time being. However, he did not rule out returning to other racing disciplines in the future, even though Formula 1 is no longer part of his immediate plans.
The London Business School’s MBA program typically lasts one to two years, so Latifi is either nearing the completion of his degree or will do so shortly. However, Latifi has not posted any updates on his social media since his announcement, making it challenging to track his exact activities since then.
Nicholas Latifi’s Formula 1 Career Highlights
Nicholas Latifi began his racing career in karting at the age of 13, later making his way to Formula 1 at the age of 24 with Williams. His path to F1 was unconventional, as he often joked about being on the older side when he entered the sport. Before joining Williams, Latifi had tested Formula 1 cars with teams like Renault and Force India in 2016. In 2019, he was brought into the Williams Driver Academy, and by 2020, amid financial struggles for the team, he was promoted to the F1 team, bringing financial support from his father’s businesses.
Despite the challenges Williams faced, including bankruptcy concerns and team instability, Latifi’s presence helped the team survive through tough times. His rookie season in 2020, however, was a struggle. He failed to score any points, finishing 21st in a 20-driver championship, with teammate George Russell finishing 18th. Latifi’s second season in 2021 showed some improvement, as he managed to score seven points and finish 17th in the standings. His best career finish came at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he placed seventh.
In 2022, Latifi scored two points, securing a ninth-place finish in Japan. However, after the season, he was replaced by Logan Sargeant at Williams. Latifi accepted that F1 is a results-based industry and admitted that his performance in 2022 was not sufficient to retain his seat in the sport.
Though Latifi’s time in F1 was marked with struggles, he experienced some memorable moments. One notable instance was in the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix’s FP3, where he capitalized on wet conditions to set a remarkable lap time, finishing at the top of the charts. This earned him the playful nickname "GOATifi" from fans, referencing the term “Greatest of All Time.”
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Controversy
Latifi’s most memorable moment in F1, however, came at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a race that will forever be linked to controversy. With the title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton neck-and-neck, Latifi was involved in a crash on Lap 53 of 58. His crash at Turn 14 caused a safety car period, which eventually led to a controversial race restart, granting Verstappen a final lap showdown on fresh tires. Verstappen went on to win the race and the World Championship, sparking widespread debate over race director Michael Masi’s decision to restart the race with only a few laps remaining. While the focus was on Masi’s decisions, Latifi was unfairly associated with the controversial outcome, which somewhat tainted his F1 career.
How Does Nicholas Latifi Compare to Other Canadian F1 Drivers?
Nicholas Latifi is one of the 15 Canadian drivers who have participated in Formula 1, with only five of them competing in multiple races. Throughout the history of the sport, Canada has produced several standout drivers, with Jacques Villeneuve being the most successful. Villeneuve won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1997 and remains the most decorated Canadian driver in F1 history. His father, Gilles Villeneuve, is also celebrated for his six Grand Prix wins and his status as a legendary figure in F1.
Other notable Canadian drivers include Lance Stroll, who has had a longer career in F1 since his debut in 2017 and has accumulated 292 points. Stroll could be considered the third-best Canadian driver, following Villeneuve and Villeneuve Sr. As for Latifi, his time in F1 may not have yielded championship titles or a long list of podium finishes, but he can still be regarded as the fourth-best Canadian F1 driver, considering his involvement in the sport and his moments of success.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Nicholas Latifi
While Nicholas Latifi’s Formula 1 career may have been short-lived, he has now turned his focus to a new chapter in his life. By stepping away from racing and pursuing an MBA at the London Business School, Latifi is following a different path, inspired by his father’s successful business endeavors. His time in F1 will always be remembered for its ups and downs, but his future lies in the world of business, where he hopes to make his mark after leaving the racetrack behind.
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