Williams has recruited up-and-coming karting star Lucas Palacio as the latest and youngest addition to its Driver Academy.
The ten-year-old American has been fast to impress in his quick profession, first taking to the wheel aged simply three and successful on his official karting debut in 2020 aged six.
Since that first race, Palacio has continued to outperform his friends, getting into the Mini Swift class in 2022 with an age waiver and reaching a number of wins and podiums throughout championships regardless of being significantly youthful than his rivals. Persevering with his spectacular rise, he received all three Mini Swift Nationwide Championships (USPKS, SKUSA Professional Tour and Stars Championship) a 12 months later.
This 12 months he has graduated to worldwide karting, competing within the WSK Tremendous Grasp Sequence the place he secured a second general outcome, adopted by the ACI Italian Championship 60 Mini Class the place he completed the sequence fourth out of 69 drivers.
As the newest expertise to hitch the Williams Racing Driver Academy, Palacio will obtain coaching and steering to nurture his expertise and assist his development within the junior classes of motorsport.
He joins a rising secure of stars of the longer term that Williams is investing in by means of the Academy, constructing on a proud custom of giving younger expertise a path into F1 which has most just lately seen Academy product Franco Colapinto graduate to an F1 race seat. The Academy helps drivers on each rung of the motorsport ladder, working with them on and off the observe to develop the abilities essential to race on the prime stage.
“It is a dream come true,” stated the teenager, “to be a part of the Williams household. I’ve all the time liked racing because the first time I drove a kart so it is wonderful to be a part of this staff. Now I can not wait to get began with James Vowles, Sven Smeets, and everybody at Grove!”
“We’re more than happy to announce that Lucas has joined the Academy,” added Sporting Director, Sven Smeets. “He is an thrilling younger expertise that has proven promise in his first few years in karting and has progressed shortly for his age. We’re wanting ahead to supporting Lucas as he continues to develop all through his karting profession.”
