F1: Albon and Latifi to Have Equal Status at Williams in 2022

Williams F1 team boss Jost Capito says neither Alexander Albon or Nicholas Latifi will have #1 status in the Williams F1 Team in 2022.

Albon joins Williams in place of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team bound George Russell after sitting out the 2021 season as the Red Bull Racing reserve driver.

Latifi is staying at Williams for a third consecutive season.

Alex Albon and Jost Capito shake hands on their new deal

“Of course, it’s good for both,” Capito is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com. “I think for Alex, it’s great to have this second chance to come back and lead the team to move forward.

“He doesn’t come in and say, ‘Okay, I want to win races.’ It is clear that he has to develop the team together with Nicky and us and all the engineers and everybody in Grove. And he seems to enjoy this role. He works very well with Nicky.

“We don’t have a number one and number two, they are both treated exactly the same. And Nicky can put his mark, there is no doubt.”

“Nicky has done a good job this year as well, when you look at all the qualifying results, some do not show that he had been in the position that he could have out qualified George, but situations where he was not in charge,” said Capito.

“And when you see the gaps, they were never really big. And of course, it’s a big challenge to be the teammate of George. He did really well, and he improved a lot through this season.

“So I’m sure he can still improve because it was just his second season. And the first season last year was a really strange season with COVID.

“And with a lot of new circuits again this year, it was difficult for him again, and he did a brilliant job based on that.”

“Alex and Nicky raced together as teammates in 2018, in F2” he said. “So they know each other, they respect each other highly.

“George and Alex are personal friends. I think Alex is the perfect fit for the team at the situation where the team is now.

“For Alex I think it’s a great second chance. And I’m sure he fits well in our environment. And we will have a lot of fun with him, and him he with us as well. And I’m sure he will perform very well.”