F1 team confirm NEW driver deal with official statement

Williams Formula 1 team have released an official statement confirming a new driver deal for 2025.

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025 left Carlos Sainz with no option but to look elsewhere for a drive on the grid next year, with the Spaniard eventually settling on Williams.

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Sainz will replace current driver Franco Colapinto, who made his F1 debut after it was announced the Ferrari star would be moving to Williams.

However, the Argentine remains without a drive for 2025, despite impressing current boss James Vowles and rival team principals.

Williams star announces new contract

Colapinto has proved to be a match, and even a challenge to Albon since he replaced Logan Sargeant at the team, with his performances instilling confidence in the strength of Williams’ Driver Academy.

In an official statement from the team they revealed that Academy driver and youngster, Oleksandr ‘Sasha’ Bondarev, will make his full-time debut in the Italian Formula 4 Championship with PREMA for 2025 in a brand new contract.

The Ukrainian star graduated from karting to single seaters for the final two rounds of the 2024 championship, where he enjoyed points finishes including one in the top five.

Bondarev joined the Williams family in 2023, and went on to win the WSK Champions Cup this year, which has also boasted fellow Williams F1 star Sargeant as a champion.

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“It’s exciting to see Sasha take the next step in his motorsport career by competing in the 2025 Italian F4 season with PREMA,” Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets said.

“Since joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy, he has gone from strength to strength on track and has shown impressive development in his transition from karting to single-seater racing.

“We will be following his season closely next year and hope to see him continue his positive trajectory.”

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