F.3 – At the “Ring” Nicholas came close to be successfull

ZELTWEG – At the Red Bull Ring, the Austrian circuit where the fifth race of the Italian F3 European Series took place, although Nicholas Latifi had a week-end full of ups and downs, he showed his progressions behind the wheel of a hard-driving car such as a F3.

After a good performance during the two days tests, the JD Motorsport team standard-bearer resolutely got the third and fourth place in the two qualifying rounds which determined the starting grid of the two most challenging races: a 20 minutes race and a 30 minutes + one lap race. The 17-year-old Canadian racer drove his Mygale 18 to the second row, just 3 or 4 tenths behind the second best lap time, setting his two best qualifying times of the whole season.
In race, unfortunately, the lack of experience (we don’t have to forget that Nicholas made a direct transition from karts to cars) driving such a challenging car inside a high-level Championship, undermined all the work done, preventing him to reap the fruits of his labour, although his race pace was almost like the one of top drivers.
NICHOLAS LATIFI: “I wanted to improve the qualifications and they did. The second row is definitely a good result and a good starting point to gain positive results. Unfortunately the races did not go as I wanted. In race-1, thanks to a good start, I was able to take the lead immediately, but due to a contact I slipped in the back. It ‘been a shame. In my race pace has always been very good and this gives me hope for the rest of the season.”
DAVID TENNYSON (coach driver): ““Nicholas progression this season has been extremely impressive. Coming straight out of karts into F3 and attaining a top 3 qualifying result by mid season is a fantastic achievement. With his recent Qualifying performances, racing at the front will be a new challenge for Nicholas and his already steep learning curve. I am fully confident Nicholas will once again demonstrate his exceptional natural ability and talent behind the wheel as he continues to develop as a driver this season”
GIOVANNI MINARDI (consulente sportivo): “The week-end at the Red Bull Ring was full of ups and downs. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to reap the fruits of our hard labour. Both in the two days tests in July and in qualifying Nicky drove very fastly, showing all his progressions in terms of a single lap speed. Unfortunately in race we didn’t get those places which could be within our reach. This was because of few mistakes due to his lack of experience and unfavourable circumstances. The work done is beginning to deliver its first results, so in Imola we would have a chance to get the results we missed in Austria.”