The 20-year-old Toronto native was unveiled as the team’s official Test Driver in March, but needs to earn his FIA Super Licence before he can drive in any of this season’s FP1 sessions.

Latifi therefore headed to the Silverstone circuit in England to get some track time in Renault’s V8-powered E20 F1 car from 2012 (né Lotus). His goal was to complete 300km of running – the minimum required distance to secure a FIA Super Licence. He exceeded his mileage target by 116km as he completed a total of 140 laps in dry and warm conditions.

“I’m really pleased with the way things have gone,” Latifi declared after the test. “The main thing was that I accomplished the 300km minimum distance but we were able to go even further because everything ran so smoothly. That’s a nice feeling when you’re jumping in a car for the first time – especially when it’s a Formula 1 car.

“The goal was to build each run and to get some confidence in the car. We weren’t really trying things with the set up because it wasn’t an official test day. But I felt really good in the car and my physical preparation during the closed season helped with that. My neck feels a little sore but, as I haven’t been able to drive a race car since the last GP2 test a month and a half ago, that’s to be expected.”

“It was a good car for the team and the V8 engine sounded really nice around Silverstone,” Nicholas said. “There isn’t as much technology as the current Renault F1 car because there’s no hybrid system, but everything still runs smoothly and seamlessly in terms of the gear change and power delivery. It’s a lot of fun.”

Fully focussed on GP2 season

The Canadian will now apply for his FIA Super Licence, but in the meantime, he’s focused on the opening GP2 race of the season at Barcelona next weekend (May 13-15). He’s determined to get off to a solid start with his new DAMS team and believes his experiences at Silverstone today will have helped.

Latifi added: “Although it’s faster, driving the Renault F1 car is pretty similar to driving the GP2 car so today will get me back in the driving mind set. Seat time is always good for a driver that’s continuing his learning and developing all the time like I am.”

From Whistle Agency