Williams Racing sign Alessandro Giusti and Sara Matsui

British racing team Williams Racing have signed Alessandro Giusti and Sara Matsui for their Williams Racing Driver Academy initiative. 

Giusti comes on board at Williams on the back of a stellar French F4 campaign in 2023, where he was crowned champion. He also had a strong season in the Formula Regional European Championship, taking home three wins and finishing sixth overall. The 17-year-old Frenchman will be competing in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2024 as well, driving for ART Grand Prix. 

Joining Giusti will be 13-year-old Sara Matsui, who was the 2022 Girls on Track Rising Stars finalist. The Japanese teenager has raced in the JAF Local Kart Championship FS-125/X30 Division and the GPR Karting Junior class and had a strong campaign at the 2023 OK-N Junior Champions of the Future Academy Program. She will be racing in the OKJ class for Kart Republic in the 2024 Champions of the Future Academy supported by F1 Academy.

Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, Williams Racing, said:

“We’re delighted to announce Alessandro and Sara as the newest members of the Williams Racing Driver Academy. Alessandro has demonstrated great ability behind the wheel in both French F4 and last year in FRECA, with impressive performances in qualifying and races. Sara is one of the rising stars in karting, delivering promising results in her home country of Japan and being a 2022 Girls on Track Rising Stars Finalist. We look forward to supporting their development as they go racing in 2024 and beyond.“

Alessandro Giusti said:

“I’m so excited to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy. It really feels special to be joining such a prestigious Formula 1 team. I cannot wait to start this journey and work closely with the team on my development.“

Sara Matsui added:

“It’s an honour to be part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be working with such an historic team. I’m looking forward to building my experience in Europe and I can’t wait for the season to start!“