Williams driver Nicholas Latifi has targeted improving his one-lap pace during his sophomore campaign in Formula 1.
Latifi, the only full-time rookie on the 2020 grid, partnered Mercedes-backed George Russell at Williams but was soundly beaten in qualifying by his team-mate.
Latifi was whitewashed by Russell and only finished Saturday as the lead Williams driver when he was partnered by stand-in Jack Aitken at the Sakhir round.
With qualifying I’d give [myself] a 5/10,” said Latifi. “I mean, it’s no secret that’s the part I need to improve and work on putting everything together and more often than not, I haven’t.
“I feel there is much more in me and much more in the car. It’s not always the same thing, It’s always something different.
“In general it could be a mistake on the lap which just ruins the whole lap. It could be having the tyre prep not quite right and then you go to the first corners making a mistake but as a result of something else, so it could be a result of the preparation.
“There have been a few occasions where I finish the lap and I’m like ‘Jeez, that’s where I am today, it’s just not quick enough, fair enough, I’m still learning’.
“But more often than not, it’s finish the lap and it’s ‘If I had a another go and put everything together, there could be so much more potential, so much more pace and that’s the frustrating thing, knowing there is more there.”
Latifi conceded that his prospects in race trim were hampered by his subdued qualifying displays.
The Canadian failed to score a point all year but finished 11th on three occasions.
“We’ve just got to do some more digging, analysis with myself and the team to try and obviously sort out both sides, as it’s a package,” he said.
“[We have to] try and nail those Saturdays because they make such a big difference for the races. You struggle the whole race because of it.”
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