Nicholas Latifi says it was a “no-brainer” to gamble on Intermediate tyres during a shortened Japanese Grand Prix after he scored his first points of the season.
Latifi started at the rear of the grid but was one of two drivers, along with Sebastian Vettel, to come in for Intermediates when the Safety Car peeled off following a lengthy delay to the race.
Both he and Vettel surged into the top 10 when rivals subsequently pitted for Intermediates across the following few laps and the Williams driver went on to classify ninth.
“Obviously it’s nice to get the first points of the season,” said Latifi, who will leave Williams at the end of the season.
“The crucial thing was getting the Inter on right away, we had the Safety Car in-lap, it was crucial getting the free-air, it was the right tyre, it was a no-brainer for me, being towards the back you have nothing to lose.
“Yeah it was my call, the right one, and it was tricky to get them to the end, the front tyres were completely gone and hanging on so obviously happy to get the points.”
Latifi’s Williams team-mate Alexander Albon retired on the opening lap after sustaining damage.
“It’s definitely a shame as I felt like it was a chance to maybe score some points,” said Albon.
“I actually had a very good start and was really pleased with it but then with the visibility being so poor, I couldn’t see the car next to me; I couldn’t even see the track.
“I had a light touch with Kevin [Magnussen] but where we hit it touched the radiator, we lost water pressure and it was leaking, so we had to stop the car.”
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