Williams add 12-year-old talent to its Academy

At the Dutch Grand Prix, Williams have announced that Dutch karting talent Dean Hoogendoorn will be joining the team’s Driver Academy for 2024 onwards.

The 12-year-old from the Netherlands, Dean Hoogendoorn will join the Academy as its youngest member after a run of impressive results in karting. At the age of 9, Hoogendoorn was the youngest winner of the WSK Super Master Race Mini Gr. 3 Class in history, a record that still stands today.

Many notable achievements followed, including multiple WSK race wins, two victories at the WSK Final Cup, and 2023 WSK Euro Series OK-N Junior Champion.

Progressing to the OK Junior karting class with Kart Republic in 2024, Hoogendoorn achieved a third place in the prestigious WSK Super Master Series and fourth in the Champions of the Future Valencia.

As part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, Hoogendoorn will receive a host of support, training and guidance to nurture his skills and support his progression in the junior categories of motorsport.

Commenting on the announcement, Dean Hoogendoorn noted: “When I was four years old and drove for the first time in a go-kart, I knew one thing, I wanted to be a World Champion.

“This is what I live for and dream of and I work hard every day towards my goal. Racing is my passion and to become a part of the Williams family is a very proud moment for me. I will contribute whatever I can to the team and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Williams Racing’s Sporting Director Sven Smeets commented: “Dean is an exciting young talent and we’re delighted to be welcoming him into the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

“He has had an impressive start in the karting world, progressing faster than most other drivers his age and challenging karters sometimes two years older than him. Dean has a bright future ahead of him and we look forward to supporting his development for the rest of 2024 and beyond.”