Photo: Joe Portlock / Formula Motorsport Limited
Trident has named Formula 3 graduate Calan Williams as the first driver in its Formula 2 line-up.
The 21-year-old Australian joined the Italian team for post-season testing last December, doing all three days at Yas Marina Circuit to prepare for his move up to the series.
He has spent the past five years racing F3 machinery, becoming Australian champion as a rookie in 2017 before spending nearly two seasons in Euroformula and then doing two FIA F3 campaigns, both with Jenzer Motorsport. The highlight of his 2021 was a maiden European podium at Paul Ricard.
“I’m extremely proud that a team so incredibly competitive and professional like Trident Motorsport welcomed me to its line-up,” said Williams.
“I worked very well with the team’s staff in the last few months and in the post-season test. I have a unique chance in front of me and I will give my 100% to use my full potential and show my skills on track. I’m really delighted that Trident welcomed me to the team so warmly and believed in me.”
While searching for a seat in F2, Williams was heavily linked to penning a 1+1 contract which would secure him two years in the category. It is not clear if his contract with Trident is set to extend beyond 2022.
“We are delighted to welcome Calan Williams to our line-up,” Trident’s team manager Giacomo Ricci said.
“He did very well in the post-season F2 test held at Yas Marina last December. Calan quickly adapted to a car of a superior series and set competitive marks in terms of overall performance and race simulations.
“Our technical staff was really impressed by his performance, but he also shone in terms of work ethics and commitment that he poured in to be always competitive, day in, day out. These aspects quickly created a strong bond between him and the team, so Trident is proud to have secured such a strong driver to face a really demanding series like FIA F2.”
Reigning Super Formula Lights champion and former F3 racer Teppei Natori is linked to being Williams’ team-mate after also doing the post-season test in Abu Dhabi with Trident.