Canada has a rather storied history with motorsport and Formula One in general, with the Canadian Grand Prix one of the most highly-anticipated events to be on the schedule each year.
Naturally, with the interest in the sport from the Maple Leaf Country, it should not come as a surprise to see a number of emerging drivers competing at the highest level, either, especially given that there have been some impressive individuals to have featured in the sport in the past.
In this article, we will take a look at two of the rising stars from Canada who are looking to create a career for themselves that will ultimately be looked upon as successful, while also taking a look at where they are in the 2022 F1 standings and what the rest of the season has potentially in store for them following the conclusion of the British Grand Prix.
Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi are Canadian’s emerging stars
Currently, the 2022 F1 season has two Canadians competing, with Lance Stroll and Nicholas Latifi both representing the country in the best possible way that they can.
Stroll is currently competing for Aston Martin following their rebrand from Racing Point last season, although he has been involved in this particular level of motorsport since 2017 when he was initially a member of Williams. Interestingly, Latifi had started his Formula One career as a member of Williams Racing, too, where he is still contracted after having made his debut at the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix.
Both drivers are still fairly new in regard to their F1 careers, with both drivers yet to really taste too much success as of this moment. However, Stroll is able to boast a little more than his fellow compatriot at this stage.
The 23-year-old has managed to obtain three podium finishes so far, including one pole position. He has also managed to acquire 179 total career points since making his debut at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix. In comparison, the 27-year-old Latifi has managed to obtain just seven career points so far.
How is the 2022 F1 season going for each Canadian?
Of course, with the 2022 F1 season in full swing, and at the midway point, there will be a lot of interest from people within the Maple Leaf Country that will have been keeping an eye on the drivers that represent them in the world’s biggest motorsport.
As of writing and following the conclusion of the 2022 British Grand Prix – in which Stroll and Latifi finished 11th and 12th respectively and just outside of the positions to score points – they both currently sit in the standings with the following breakdown:
- Stroll – 3 points – 19th overall
- Latifi – 0 points – 20th overall
Aside from Latifi, only Aston Martin’s Nico Hulkenberg is yet to score any points in this year’s competition.
Of course, for many Canadians who might be considering placing a wager on the 2022 F1 season and potentially backing their national heroes in the sport, there might be some questions about what they could potentially achieve in the coming races.
Indeed, with a number of Canadian legal sports betting sites available to utilize following the changes in laws and restrictions, there will likely be some within the Maple Leaf Country that may want to consider other potential options.
For instance, for those that wish to potentially wager on the overall winner, then Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen might be the best option, as the Dutch driver currently leads the standings with a total of 181 points so far.
What can we expect from Canada’s rising stars in the second half of the F1 2022 season?
Naturally, there will still be plenty that will be interested in wondering what may happen in the remainder of the F1 2022 season in regard to what Stroll and Latifi are able to achieve.
Indeed, it could be rather difficult to see either of the duo adding to their points total given the way the campaign has gone so far, although, given the unpredictability of the sport, that is not to say that they will not be able to compete.
As highlighted, both men are still in the early stages of their F1 careers, and while everyone has to start somewhere, both drivers will continue to get more and more experience. Admittedly, it does seem rather unlikely that either of them will be able to ever finish a race in first place and take home their maiden wins due to the quality of the cars and competition that they are up against, but stranger things have happened.
What is next on the 2022 F1 schedule?
This upcoming weekend will be the turn of the Austrian Grand Prix – the race in which Latifi made his debut two years ago. This race could become rather special for the driver as it will be one that can provide some potentially happy memories, however, is it one that he or Stroll will be able to win?
It would seem unlikely, as it would not be a surprise if we were to see either Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, or Ferrari come away with the win at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday, July 10.
Nonetheless, that is not to suggest that either of the Canadian duo would not be unable to acquire any points and add to their respective tallies on the board. Indeed, many would deem that success, given how the season has turned out thus far.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! Stroll and Latifi are the two emerging stars in Formula 1 that currently represent Canada. Both will be looking to try and carve out a solid career for themselves and build a reputation as being among the best drivers that the country – and world – has ever had the pleasure of being able to see.
With the Austria Grand Prix just days away, this upcoming race could be a great way to further enhance their reputation within the sport.
Leave a Reply