Ahead of the 2024 Formula One season, Williams have introduced Alessandro Giusti and Sara Matsui because the two latest members of their Formula 1 junior staff.
Giusti , a 17-year-old Frenchman, joins the Academy following a formidable debut season within the Formula Regional European Championship, ending sixth within the driver standings, securing three wins and 4 podiums in 2023.
The younger Frenchman started his journey in karting, discovering success in quite a few nationwide and worldwide karting championships. He made his single-seater debut within the 2021 French Formula 4 Championship, successful two races and taking six podium finishes. His sophomore 12 months in French F4 noticed him topped Champion, scoring 12 podiums, six pole positions and two victories in 2022, earlier than transferring on to FRECA in 2023.
Williams confirmed that Giusti will compete within the Formula Regional European Championship with ART Grand Prix in 2024.
“I’m so excited to be becoming a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy. It actually feels particular to be becoming a member of such a prestigious Formula 1 staff. I can’t wait to begin this journey and work carefully with the staff on my growth,” added Guisti.
A memorable first go to to Grove for Alessandro and Sara! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Lbeytczxn7
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) January 18, 2024
Sara Matsui is a 13-year-old karting star from Japan who joins the Driver Academy as a 2022 Girls on Track Rising Stars Finalist. She has competed in a number of nationwide karting collection, together with the 2021 JAF Kart Championship FR-Jr Cadets and the 2022 JAF Kart Championship FP-Jr, each of which she completed third total.
Matsui has continued to enhance her abilities all through 2023, attending the HONDA Racing School and competing in collection such because the JAF Local Kart Championship FS-125/X30 Division and the GPR Karting Junior class the place she scored two podiums. Sara additionally impressed within the 2023 OK-N Junior Champions of the Future Academy Program, ending eighth total out of 24 international opponents.
In 2024, Matsui will drive within the OKJ class with Kart Republic in addition to compete within the 2024 Champions of the Future Academy supported by F1 Academy.
Sara Matsui: “It’s an honour to be part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be working with such an historic team. I’m looking forward to building my experience in Europe and I can’t wait for the season to start!”
Speaking of the two new younger skills, Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, Williams Racing commented: “We’re delighted to announce Alessandro and Sara as the most recent members of the Williams Racing Driver Academy.
“Alessandro has demonstrated nice capacity behind the wheel in each French F4 and final 12 months in FRECA, with spectacular performances in qualifying and races. Sara is among the rising stars in karting, delivering promising leads to her residence nation of Japan and being a 2022 Girls on Track Rising Stars Finalist. We look ahead to supporting their growth as they go racing in 2024 and past.”
Currently, the Williams Driver Academy options eight drivers: Jamie Chadwick, Zak O’Sullivan, Franco Colapinto, Luke Browning, Oleksandr Bondarev, Lia Block, Alessandro Giusti and Sara Matsui.
