WILLIAMS TO FORMULA 3

Calan Williams to Formula 3 – Photo: Supplied

Western Australian driver Calan Williams will continue his progression towards Formula 1 after announcing he will contest the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2020 with Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport.

By HEATH McALPINE

Williams won the Australian Formula 3 Series in 2017, before taking his chance overseas to contest the Euroformula Open F3 Championship as part of the Fortec Motorsport team during the past two seasons.

Formula 3 features as a support category to Formula 1 and Williams is excited to compete in front of a greater audience.

“I am incredibly excited about the year ahead, and to be able to race during F1 events in front of F1 teams is a huge opportunity,” said Williams.

“Driving the car in Valencia was an amazing experience. It is a real step up from the Formula 3 car I have driven for the past two seasons in Europe, with much more power, more downforce, and being a larger car, it is heavier and more physical to drive.”

The 19-year-old sampled a Formula 3 car in a test conducted at Valencia last week where he was competitive among a mixture of rookies and drivers from the recently concluded season.

“Having my first outing in the car in the wet was certainly being thrown in the deep end,” said Williams. “But to be P16 out of the 30 drivers on Day 2, with most of those ahead being current drivers in the 2019 Championship was really pleasing.”

Jenzer Motorsport were a race winner during this year’s inaugural FIA European Formula 3 Championship and team principal Andreas Jenzer has welcomed Williams into his team.

“Last week I was very pleased to meet Calan when he visited our workshop for a seat fitting. After spending some time with our engineers on preparation work for the Valencia test, it was obvious to see he is a professional and focused young Australian man”.

“Following on from the three days test, which were held in a range of varying conditions, clearly, we can see his potential. We are excited to be working together with him next year and look forward to a successful partnership.”

The 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship begins with a three-day test in Bahrain ahead of the opening round at the same venue on March 20-22.

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