The recent Emilia Romagna Grand Prix would see both Williams Racing drivers retire with the pair been involved in their own crashes. The circumstances of these crashes were completely different but the common thread was the fact that both drivers would make contact with another driver seeing them crash into a barrier. Not the result that the team was hoping for but despite this there were a list of positives to come from the weekend.

One of these was the vastly improved performance from Nicholas Latifi covering his practice and qualifying efforts. Nicholas would move into the second period of qualifying for just the second time is his career after practice sessions that saw a promising turn of speed. Such were his performances that he looked the faster of the two Williams drivers over Friday practice.

Even though the status quo with his team-mate George Russell returning to normal on the Saturday with George again quicker it was a marked step forward for Nicholas. George would comment: "Nicholas had the upper hand on me every single lap this whole weekend, I was just confused as to why."

Despite both drivers failing to deliver on their improved performance leading up to the race the team still took a lot away from the weekend not only in terms of the improved performance of the FW43B coming from updates, including a new floor, but how Nicholas was able to make a step forward in terms of being able to use the improved performance from the car.

Head of Vehicle Development Dave Robson commented on the improved performance from Nicholas by saying that he felt the improved car as well as the improved conditions found at the Imola track certainly helped Nicholas, "that certainly helped".

"I think he was quick here out of the box in October as well when we came, so I think for whatever reason, he's comfortable here in Imola.

"But for sure, having that confidence in the car definitely helps. Nicky needs that kind of momentum through the weekend, and he had it here.

"And even when he had a little blip in FP3, we got him back out and he was straight back on it. It really didn't perturb him at all, either in terms of his faith in the car or what was going on in his mind.

"He just had tremendous mental strength and a great approach all weekend."

With the Portuguese Grand prix the next round of the 2021 season the big test will be whether Nicholas can take his improved showing at Imola and continue this. In 2020 George would have the upper hand over Nicholas now the big question is whether or not Nicholas can again show that he is an improving driver worthy of keeping his seat at Williams.