Williams junior Ollie Gray steps up to FIA F3 Championship

Williams Racing Academy driver Ollie Gray will compete this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with front-running outfit Carlin.

Gray finished runner-up with Carlin in the 2022 British Formula 4 series, the 17-year-old claiming two race wins and 16 podiums in the category.

Gray will continue to work closely with Williams Racing as a member of its driver academy, but the young Briton will also carry the Grove-based outfit's colors on his F3 car this year.

"I’m really excited to be stepping up to F3 with Carlin in 2023 and to be continuing my partnership with Williams Racing as an Academy Driver," he said.

"It’s going to be a big challenge but I’m really looking forward to it and to work with the team, who I get along with really well."

Williams sporting director Sven Smeets says the F1 team looking forward to "supporting Gray's development in 2023," and seeing what he can achieve in F3.

"After a very strong season in British Formula 4, we felt it was only right for Ollie to make the natural progression to Formula 3 with Carlin," said the Belgian.

"Throughout his first year as part of our Driver Academy, Ollie’s shown his talents on the track with numerous wins and podiums and while at Grove where he’s worked with the team."

• Read also: Russell remembers 'hard to digest' F1 debut with Williams

At Carlin, Gray will race alongside fellow-17-year-old American charger Hunter Yeany.

"Ollie was a complete pleasure to have in the team last season and we really believe in his potential," commented team owner Trevor Carlin.

"It’s a big step up to FIA F3, which is an incredibly competitive championship so it will be a steep learning curve.

"Making steady but recognisable progress with every event will be the aim, and Ollie has the attitude and talent to be able to do that."

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