F1 News: Hoogendoorn Joins Williams Racing F1 Driver Academy

Williams Racing announced that Dutch karting talent Dean Hoogendoorn will be joining the team’s F1 development Driver Academy for 2024 onwards.

A 12-year-old from the Netherlands, Dean joins the Academy as its youngest member after a run of impressive results in karting. At the age of 9, Dean was the youngest winner of the WSK Super Master Race Mini Gr. 3 Class in history, a record that still stands today.

Many notable achievements followed, including multiple WSK race wins, two victories at the WSK Final Cup, and 2023 WSK Euro Series OK-N Junior Champion.

Progressing to the OK Junior karting class with Kart Republic in 2024, Dean achieved a third place in the prestigious WSK Super Master Series and fourth in the Champions of the Future Valencia.

As part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, Dean will receive a host of support, training and guidance to nurture his skills and support his progression in the junior categories of motorsport.

Williams is investing in the stars of the future through the Williams Racing Driver Academy, building on a proud tradition of giving young talent a path into F1. The Driver Academy nurtures talent, supports drivers as they grow and works with them on and off the track to develop the skills necessary to race at the top level.

Dean Hoogendoorn: “When I was four years old and drove for the first time in a go-kart, I knew one thing, I wanted to be a World Champion. This is what I live for and dream of and I work hard every day towards my goal. Racing is my passion and to become a part of the Williams family is a very proud moment for me. I will contribute whatever I can to the team and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, Williams Racing: “Dean is an exciting young talent and we’re delighted to be welcoming him into the Williams Racing Driver Academy. He has had an impressive start in the karting world, progressing faster than most other drivers his age and challenging karters sometimes two years older than him. Dean has a bright future ahead of him and we look forward to supporting his development for the rest of 2024 and beyond.”