$260 Million Worth Chart-Breaker Drake Once Heavily Influenced F1 Driver’s Racing Identity

Canadian rapper, singer, and actor Drake was an inspiration to one of the drivers in the F1 community in making one of the most crucial decisions in his driving career. F1 drivers and the numbers that they drive under usually hold a certain story behind them. And with Nicholas Latifi, the case is no different. Here is a throwback to when he shared the story of him being influenced by the $260m worth artist.

Williams’ man, Nicholas Latifi, who is set to leave the F1 grid in 2023, is in the midst of a whirlwind of decisions. Between his choices of a reserve driver role that keeps him rooted in the F1 world, and his move to the IndyCar series, the Canadian finds himself in a bit of a fix.

In the times of him shifting roles, we look back at a simpler time when Latifi had picked his number ‘6’ as his F1 driver identity. In a three-year-old interview, Latifi got candid about his journey in F1 and decided to share his new beginning with the fans.

According to reports, Latifi’s choice of dawning the number six is rooted in his love for the Canadian city of Toronto. He explained that Toronto was divided into six districts. He also added that the telephone code in the area were of two kinds. They started and ended with the number six.

As per motorsportweek.com, he said, “Toronto is widely referred to as ‘The 6’, which is partly down to Drake, who’s also from Toronto. He mentions the name in one of his early songs, and one of his albums was originally called ‘Views from the 6’.”

He also shared that every individual from North America knows exactly what ‘the 6’ stands for!

“It also happens to be the number I used for three out of my four seasons in Formula 2. Although that was more by chance, as DAMS was given 5 and 6 because of the finishing positions in the championship. But as soon as we had those numbers, I knew immediately which one I wanted!” he concluded.

Read More: Nicholas Latifi Not Ready to Go the Daniel Ricciardo Route to Save His Dying F1 Career: “I Don’t See To Be the Case”

With the situation that he finds himself in now, Nicholas Latifi shared his thoughts on his way around the reserve driver role.

Nicholas Latifi doesn’t see his return to the F1 grid in the coming years

Latifi recently appeared on a podcast, ‘Beyond the Grid’ and was transparent in regards to his next steps in the F1 world.

He got candid and said, “I think the only way I would consider a third driver role is if I saw a realistic way to return to the grid in Formula 1 which, speaking bluntly and honestly, I don’t see to be the case.”

Latifi, however, is still sorting through his options to see what works best for him. He said, “If I can’t find something that’s suitable for me next year, I might potentially take a year off to put together something better for the following year.”

Nicholas established that he’s 27 years old, so he still has plenty of years ahead of him.

He shared his consideration of racing in the IndyCar series for the upcoming season. He stressed the fact that he does not wish to take the year off as he wants to continue racing and does not want to give that up yet.

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Latifi fans are curious as to how the next season will look out for the Canadian. Do you see him racing on the 2023 grid?