Jenzer secure Williams for 2020 campaign

Following a successful testing period in Valencia, Jenzer Motorsport have announced the recruitment of Calan Williams for the 2020 FIA Formula 3 campaign. The 19-year-old is the first official driver announcement for the grid next season.

The West-Australian racer seized the 2017 Australian Formula 3 Championship crown in his debut campaign, before going on to race in the 2018 and 2019 Euroformula Open F3 Championships, with Fortec Motorsport.

During those campaigns, he earnt a highest place of fourth, as well as a strong run of seven points’ finishes in a row.

“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,” Williams elated.

“Driving the car in Valencia was an amazing experience. It is a real step up from the 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.”

Williams was speaking on the back of post-season testing in Valencia, where he made his debut with Jenzer, across a three-day stint. Scoring a highest place finish of 16th, he impressed the Swiss team with his maturity in tough conditions, where rain hampered two of the three days in Spain.

“Having my first outing in the car in the wet was certainly being thrown in the deep end! But, to be P16 of the 30 drivers day two, with most of those ahead being current drivers in the 2019 Championship was really pleasing. Also, to be only seven tenths of a second off the quickest time was even better, and considering it was my first time in the car, a really good place to start.

“With the extremely wet day three, that was a great opportunity to work on racing in those conditions before having to do so on a race weekend next year.”

As well as his time in Valencia with Jenzer, Williams spent a week in Switzerland, where he was able to integrate himself with the team, the country, and their way of working.

“All of the team are fantastic,” he continued. “Everything clicked very quickly and I really like the way they are focused to achieve the best results on track, have high expectations, but are also interested in how I continue to develop as a whole person outside of racing.

“Switzerland also looks like a great place to be spending quite some time next year.”

Jenzer are on the back of a successful first season in the Formula 3 Championship, where they secured seventh place with 67 points. Williams will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of their most successful driver in 2019, Yuki Tsunoda, who earned two podiums, and an impressive win in the Monza Sprint Race.

Jenzer Team Principal Andreas Jenzer added: “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.”