Ralf Schumacher wants to see Aussie Oscar Piastri replace Nicholas Latifi at Williams
Former grand prix winner Ralf Schumacher has blamed Nicholas Latifi for Williams' slump and wants him to be replaced by Australian Oscar Piastri next season.
After improvements last season, Williams has plummeted to the bottom of the Formula 1 constructor standings after four races this year.
Despite new recruit Alex Albon's strong drive in Melbourne, where he finished inside the top 10 to secure a point, the outlook once again looks bleak for the famed British team.
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Nicholas Latifi and Lance Stroll collided in qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix. F1
Latifi has also developed a reputation for crashing out in crucial moments - including his infamous accident at turn 14 during last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which triggered the safety car and cost Lewis Hamilton a record-breaking eighth world championship.
According to Schumacher, if the decision is made by Williams' investors then the Canadian driver will be axed for next season.
"The Williams investors want two strong drivers in the car. Albon is doing a great job and the difference to Latifi is very, very big," he told Sky Deutschland.
Nicholas Latifi. Getty
"There are a lot of exciting things happening in Formula 1 right now and one of them could be a driver change this year."
Latifi's three-year contract with Williams expires at season's end, possibly laying the foundations for a new driver lineup.
While Schumacher does not know who would be favoured by Williams to take the seat, he does like the look of rising Australian star Piastri.
Oscar Piastri is currently waiting in the wings for an F1 seat. Getty
"Piastri would be a perfect choice," he said.
"If he doesn't deserve the seat, who does?"
Piastri - who won the F2 title last year - is currently contracted as Alpine's reserve driver.
Speaking to Wide World of Sports earlier this year, Piastri said he won't accept a reserve driver role beyond this year.
"It's in Alpine's hands, but we're both very clear with each other that we want to make this just one year on the sidelines as the reserve driver," he said.
"I've certainly made it very clear that I want to be on the grid in 2023. So it's up to Alpine how they manage that.
"I've done what I can on the track to prove myself. So it's very much up to up to them to to work that out."
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