FIA European Karting champion Oleksandr Bondarev has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

The 14-year-old became the first Ukrainian in history to win the title and is delighted to join the team.

“I am so excited to join the Williams Racing Driver Academy. “Williams Racing is one of the most iconic teams in motorsport, having had some of the best drivers in the sport race for them, and it is an honour to have the chance to be part of that history.

“Since I was five years old when I began karting, I dreamt about Formula 1. I have a long way to go, of course, but this is a huge step for me.

Bondarev has already accumulated multiple titles throughout his young career. He won the Ukrainian Karting Championship in 2018 and the WSK Super Master Series – OKJ four years later.

The Williams Junior said: “I always knew that becoming part of an F1 young driver programme was crucial, and I will work hard to repay the confidence and belief which James and Sven (Smeets) have placed in me.”

The Grove-based Formula 1 team’s academy now hosts six young drivers, including Zak O’Sullivan and Franco Colapinto, who performed admirably in FIA F3 in 2023.

Smeets, the Sporting Director at Williams Racing, said: “We’re delighted to announce that Oleksandr has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

“He’s a highly regarded young talent that we’ve monitored for some time. At just 14 years old, he already has several impressive achievements to his name, including the 2023 FIA-CIK European OKJ Championship.

“Oleksandr has shown a lot of potential at an early age, and we look forward to supporting his development as he continues his journey in karting.”

Bondarev is set to race in this year’s FIA Karting World Championship, which is set to take place in October in Franciacorta, Italy.