Oliver Gray joins Williams Driver Academy programme

Williams Racing has confirmed that Oliver Gray has joined team’s Driver Academywith the young driver set to compete in the 2022 British F4 Championship with Carlin.

Gray joins the Academy following a successful debut season in single seaters, in which he claimed two wins and two pole positions in the 2021 British F4 Championship. The British driver consistently placed within the top ten, taking third in the highly competitive Rookie Championship. Gray rounded off the year by competing in the Italian F4 Championship, running in the series’ final six races at the historic Mugello and Monza circuits.

Gray impressed during his international karting career, in which he took multiple Motorsport UK and British Kart Championship titles at the X30 Junior level, along with claiming vice-champion honours in the IAME Euro Series in 2019. In 2020, Gray recorded a notable performance in the WSK Euro Series round in Sarno, in which he dominated across the event.

As an Academy Driver, Gray will be immersed within the Williams team, working closely with departments across the business to support his development as a driver.

Speaking about the announcement, Gray said, “Today is a special day in my career as I can officially say I am part of Williams Racing! Williams is a team with so much history and success in Formula One and I hope to one day be able to add to that.

"As I begin working with the team, my immediate goals are to develop as a driver both on and off the track, as well as focus on my 2022 season; I can’t wait to get started. There are lots of people who have played a role in my motorsport career so far and I would like to thank everyone, particularly Sven, Jost and the team at Williams Racing for their belief in me," he concluded.

Sven Smeets, Williams Racing Sporting Director, added “We are incredibly pleased to welcome Oliver to the Williams Racing Driver Academy. He showed great talent during his karting career and the team was impressed with his debut year in single seaters. We are all looking forward to working with Oliver to best support his progression through the junior motorsport ladder, and I’m confident that he will prove a great asset to our team.”