Williams adds F4 charger Gray to Driver Academy

©Williams

Williams Racing has announced that it has added 16-year-old British F4 talent Oliver Gray to its Driver Academy.

As a star of the British karting scene, Gray stepped up to single-seater racing in 2021 and competed with success in the British F4 Championship with Fortec, claiming two wins and two pole positions in the series and racing consistently among the top ten.

This year, Gray will compete once again in British F4 with Carlin while getting acquainted with life inside an F1 team with Williams, immersing with the Grove-based squad and working closely with the team's departments to support his development.

"We are incredibly pleased to welcome Oliver to the Williams Racing Driver Academy," commented Williams sporting director Sven Smeets.

"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."

Gray naturally hailed the special day as he became an official member of the third most successful team in F1 history.

"Today is a special day in my career as I can officially say I am part of Williams Racing!" said the teenager.

"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.

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"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."

Gray will share his F1 learning experience with fellow Williams F1 driver academy members Jamie Chadwick, Logan Sargeant and Zak O'Sullivan.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.