Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Calan Williams
View on Wikipedia
Calan Williams (born 30 June 2000) is an Australian racing driver who is competing in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with BMW M Team WRT. He is the champion of the 2017 Australian Formula 3 Premier Series.
Key Information
Early career
[edit]Karting
[edit]Williams was a member of the Wanneroo-based Tiger Kart Club,[1] and competed in karting championships across Western Australia, and in several race meetings around the country. His karting career spanned from 2007 until 2014.[2]
Lower formulae
[edit]2015
[edit]Having tested a Formula Ford car for the first time in December 2014,[3] Williams debuted in formula racing the following year in Western Australian Formula Ford, where he scored a round win on debut at the Barbagallo Raceway, having finished on the podium in two of the three races.[1][4] A pole position in the final round followed, as Williams ended up tenth in the standings.[5]
2016
[edit]His first full season of racing came in 2016, where he returned to the Western Australian Formula Ford Championship with Fastlane Racing. Round 1 began with a good qualifying performance, as the Australian lined up third for the first race despite experiencing clutch issues on his flying lap, however the round would not yield a podium finish.[6] Williams took pole for the next race at the Collie Motorplex, although he was penalized with a back-of-the-grid start following an overtake under red flag conditions. He beat the track record in the first two races, but one podium was the maximum of his weekend.[7] The third round brought with it a second-place finish, despite a spin into the gravel in Race 1 setting him to the back of the starting grid for the following race,[8] but it was during the next event that Williams would make use of his pace, missing out on victory by 0.08 seconds in the first pair of races, whilst finishing second again in Race 3.[9] Another second place followed in the penultimate round, but Williams finally managed to score his first win in car racing in the second race, which he followed up by taking another victory to cap off the weekend, which he finished as the round winner.[10] A triple of victories followed in the final round to end the season, which meant that Williams had finished second in the standings, missing out on the title by just eight points to Sam Dicker.[11]
2017
[edit]
For the 2017 season, Williams progressed to slicks and wings, driving in the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series with Gilmour Racing.[12] Williams took eleven race wins and 16 podiums, which earned him the championship title with one round to go.[13][14] During the series, he set the outright lap record at Morgan Park Raceway for the circuit's K configuration, with a laptime of 1:07.948.
Euroformula Open
[edit]2018
[edit]After having a meeting with Fortec Motorsport in July 2017,[15] Williams tested with the team in December at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.[1][16] He then signed with the team for the opening rounds of the 2018 Euroformula Open Championship,[17] and competed in the Euroformula Winter Series. He completed testing at the Circuito de Jerez and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and placed seventh and ninth in two races at Circuit Paul Ricard.[18][19] Williams made his debut in Euroformula Open at Estoril Circuit in round one of the 2018 Euroformula Series. He qualified 10th for race 1 of the round,[20] finishing 14th in the race and qualified 9th for race two in which he then finished in 11th place.[21]
Williams had two impressive qualifying efforts at the Monza round of the 2018 season, qualifying 5th for Race 1 and 3rd for Race 2. In the races he suffered early setbacks however, being taken out early in both races, but fought back to finish inside the top ten in both races.[22] He finished race 1 in 10th position and race 2 in 8th after being relegated to the rear end of the field following the early incidents. Williams finished the season in 11th position with 25 points.
2019
[edit]Williams competed again in Euroformula Open in the 2019 season with Fortec Motorsport.[23] Williams had a season best results of 4th and 5th at the 6th round of the championship at the Red Bull Ring.
Toyota Racing Series
[edit]In December 2018, it was announced that Williams would race in the 2019 season of the Toyota Racing Series, held in New Zealand in January and February with MTEC Motorsport.[24][25] Williams would return to using the number 54 that he had raced with prior to 2017. The Australian finished eighth in the drivers' championship with 183, having finished all but two races in the points.
FIA Formula 3 Championship
[edit]2020
[edit]In October 2019, it was announced Williams had signed with Jenzer Motorsport for the 2020 season of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, which he stated was "a huge opportunity".[26][27][28] He didn't manage to score any points throughout the campaign however and finished 31st in the standings, with a highest finish of 14th. Despite a number of successful qualifying performances, such as qualifying fifth in Budapest, he ended up behind both of his teammates, Matteo Nannini and Federico Malvestiti.
2021
[edit]
Williams was retained by Jenzer Motorsport for the 2021 season, this time partnering Pierre-Louis Chovet and Filip Ugran.[29] After a tough first round of the season where he finished just outside the points in race 2,[30] Williams broke through for his maiden FIA Formula 3 podium and points finish at Le Castellet. Williams qualified on reverse pole for Race 1, where he finished third after trading places for the lead and podium spots throughout the race.[31] Williams followed it up with another points finish in race 2, finishing tenth. In Race 3 he finished in his starting grid spot of 12th after the rain-affected race.[32] The Australian's next points finish came at the Red Bull Ring, where he ended up ninth in Sunday's race.[33] In the following two rounds Williams would be unable to score points, and at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps he was involved in a collision with Amaury Cordeel in the Eau Rouge-Radillion complex.[34] Both drivers escaped the impact without injuries.[35] Williams finished the season without scoring any more points and ended up 19th in the standings, having been the highest-scoring Jenzer driver that season.[36]
FIA Formula 2 Championship
[edit]
In January 2022, it was announced that Williams will drive for Trident in the 2022 season of the FIA Formula 2 Championship.[37][38] Having qualified twelfth on debut,[39] he proceeded to have an uneventful first race, finishing 15th whilst teammate Richard Verschoor was victorious. In the Bahrain feature race Williams started the race well, getting up to sixth by the end of the first lap and staying in the points after his pit stop. However, after a safety car was called late in the race Williams pitted for new tyres, but was forced to retire from the race after the team hadn't fitted a tyre on the car properly, leaving it to bounce off after the Australian had left his pit box.[40] At the following round in Saudi Arabia, Williams managed to qualify in seventh place, giving him the opportunity to start the sprint race from the second row. He would end up losing one position, finishing fourth and thus scoring his first points in the category.[41] A pair of anonymous races at Imola came up next,[42] whereas the round at Barcelona would harbour initial promise, as the Australian qualified tenth, setting him up to start from pole position on Saturday.[43] However, a stall on the formation lap prevented Williams from contending for a podium finish.[44] Williams was unlucky in the Monaco feature race, running in the points until the last lap, where he and Ayumu Iwasa collided on the last lap.[45] He would go on to have a quiet rest of the season, and failed to score any more points.[46]
In October, Williams and Trident parted ways before the season finale in Yas Marina, citing the need to "focus on the next steps of his motorsport career".[47] He placed 23rd in the standings, with four points.[48]
Sportscar racing career
[edit]GT World Challenge Europe
[edit]2023
[edit]For 2023, Williams moved to sportscar racing, teaming up with BMW M Team WRT for the Gold Cup category in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint Cup series.[49][50]
The season began promisingly, as the Australian took a podium in his category during the opening Endurance Cup round at Monza, finishing third along with Niklas Krütten and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer.[51] During his maiden weekend in the Sprint Cup, Williams managed to take a class victory in race 2 at Brands Hatch, having inherited the car from teammate Krütten in a leading position.[52][53] At Le Castellet, the Australian was able to progress from fourth to second in class during the opening stint, though the team was forced to retire when Simmenauer stopped the #30 with a suspected engine issue after two hours.[54]
Williams and his WRT stablemates returned to the category podium at the 24 Hours of Spa, coming second after spending the majority of the race in the podium places.[55][56] Though they managed to appear on the rostrum again at the Nürburgring, the #30 trio failed to take a class win all season, eventually leading them to finish fifth in the class standings of the Endurance Cup.[57]
Their campaign in the Sprint Cup wrote a different story, as two further class podiums - including a win - at Misano were followed by another class victory at Hockenheim, a race which Williams finished in fifth place overall.[58] The round at Valencia turned out to be a setback in the #30's Gold Cup title ambitions, as contact at the start of race one forced them to retire early. After being demoted to second place at the first Zandvoort race due to a penalty, Williams and Krütten entered the final race with a 1.5-point deficit to the leading #9 of Aurélien Panis and Alberto di Folco.[59] Sunday's qualifying session brought an extra point, as Williams qualified on Gold Cup pole and started the race from the overall front row due to penalties for two cars ahead.[60] Williams, who started the car, got into the lead as a rain shower caused the leading WRT of Maxime Martin to slide off, before Krütten was passed shortly after a safety car restart, finishing third overall and winning the class race, thus bringing home both the Sprint Cup title as well as the overall Gold Cup championship.[61][62]
2024
[edit]Williams returned to WRT to partake in a single programme in the Sprint Cup, this time partnering Sam De Haan in the Silver Cup.[63] Williams established himself as one of the stronger drivers in the subclass by scoring pole positions at Brands Hatch and Misano.[64][65] He and De Haan also became consistent podium finishers, claiming a spot on the rostrum in each of the first six races. This included a dominant round at Misano where the pair won their class both times, as well as two overall fifth places (and a subclass win) at the Hockenheimring.[66][67][68] Despite missing the podium in race 1 at Magny-Cours Williams remained first in the Silver Cup standings going into the final round, one for which he would be joined by Sean Gelael.[69] With a podium in the final race Williams and the #30 WRT squad were crowned Silver Cup champions, five points ahead of the #10 Boutsen VDS outfit of Aurélien Panis and César Gazeau.[70][71]
Personal life
[edit]As of 2021, Williams was studying Computer Science online at Edith Cowan University.[72]
To amass the funding needed for a racing career in Europe, Williams and his father set up an incorporated company, which investors would be able to buy shares in.[73][74]
Racing record
[edit]Racing career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Western Australian Formula Ford | Fastlane Racing | 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 142 | 10th |
| 2016 | Western Australian Formula Ford | Fastlane Racing | 21 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 363 | 2nd |
| 2017 | Australian Formula 3 Premier Series | Gilmour Racing | 17 | 11 | 6 | 15 | 16 | 232 | 1st |
| New South Wales Formula Race Car Championship | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | NC† | ||
| Queensland Sports and Racing Car Championship | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | NC† | ||
| 2018 | Euroformula Open Championship | Fortec Motorsports | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 11th |
| Spanish Formula 3 Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18th | ||
| 2019 | Euroformula Open Championship | Fortec Motorsports | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 13th |
| Toyota Racing Series | MTEC Motorsport | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 183 | 8th | |
| 2020 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | Jenzer Motorsport | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31st |
| 2021 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | Jenzer Motorsport | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 19th |
| 2022 | FIA Formula 2 Championship | Trident | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 23rd |
| 2023 | GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup | Team WRT | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18.5 | 9th |
| GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup - Gold Cup | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 113.5 | 1st | |||
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | ||
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Gold Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 78 | 5th | |||
| Intercontinental GT Challenge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 28th | ||
| 2024 | GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup | Team WRT | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 10th |
| GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup - Silver Cup | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 112.5 | 1st | |||
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | OQ by Oman Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Bronze Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 35th* |
* Season still in progress.
† As Williams was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.
Complete Western Australian Formula Ford results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Fastlane Racing | WAN1 1 |
WAN1 2 |
WAN1 3 |
COL 1 |
COL 2 |
COL 3 |
WAN2 1 |
WAN2 2 |
WAN2 3 |
WAN3 1 |
WAN3 2 |
WAN3 3 |
WAN4 1 4 |
WAN4 2 2 |
WAN4 3 2 |
WAN5 1 4 |
WAN5 2 7 |
WAN5 3 Ret |
WAN6 1 2 |
WAN6 2 4 |
WAN6 3 4 |
10th | 142 |
| 2016 | Fastlane Racing | WAN1 1 5 |
WAN1 2 3 |
WAN1 3 14 |
COL 1 5 |
COL 2 3 |
COL 3 6 |
WAN2 1 Ret |
WAN2 2 5 |
WAN2 3 2 |
WAN3 1 2 |
WAN3 2 2 |
WAN3 3 2 |
WAN4 1 Ret |
WAN4 2 5 |
WAN4 3 5 |
WAN5 1 2 |
WAN5 2 1 |
WAN5 3 1 |
WAN6 1 1 |
WAN6 2 1 |
WAN6 3 1 |
2nd | 363 |
Complete Australian Formula 3 Premier Series results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Gilmour Racing | MOR 1 1 |
MOR 2 Ret |
MOR 3 DNS |
MAL 1 1 |
MAL 2 1 |
MAL 3 2 |
SYD 1 1 |
SYD 2 2 |
SYD 3 2 |
PHI 1 1 |
PHI 2 1 |
PHI 3 1 |
QLD 1 1 |
QLD 2 1 |
QLD 3 1 |
WAK 1 1 |
WAK 2 2 |
WAK 3 2 |
1st | 232 |
Complete Euroformula Open Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Fortec Motorsports | EST 1 14 |
EST 2 11 |
LEC 1 Ret |
LEC 2 12 |
SPA 1 7 |
SPA 2 14 |
HUN 1 6 |
HUN 2 11 |
SIL 1 9 |
SIL 2 8 |
MNZ 1 10 |
MNZ 2 8 |
JER 1 |
JER 2 |
CAT 1 |
CAT 2 |
11th | 25 | ||
| 2019 | Fortec Motorsports | LEC 1 12 |
LEC 2 16 |
PAU 1 7 |
PAU 2 11 |
HOC 1 15 |
HOC 2 9 |
SPA 1 12 |
SPA 2 8 |
HUN 1 8 |
HUN 2 8 |
RBR 1 4 |
RBR 2 5 |
SIL 1 10 |
SIL 2 7 |
CAT 1 14 |
CAT 2 14 |
MNZ 1 16 |
MNZ 2 10 |
13th | 53 |
Complete Toyota Racing Series results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | MTEC Motorsport | HIG 1 11 |
HIG 2 7 |
HIG 3 8 |
TER 1 7 |
TER 2 C |
TER 3 C |
HMP 1 Ret |
HMP 2 8 |
HMP 3 8 |
HMP 4 7 |
TAU 1 8 |
TAU 2 8 |
TAU 3 9 |
TAU 4 7 |
MAN 1 5 |
MAN 2 7 |
MAN 3 Ret |
8th | 183 |
Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jenzer Motorsport | RBR FEA 21 |
RBR SPR 17 |
RBR FEA 25 |
RBR SPR 24 |
HUN FEA Ret |
HUN SPR 15 |
SIL FEA 14 |
SIL SPR 14 |
SIL FEA Ret |
SIL SPR Ret |
CAT FEA 25 |
CAT SPR 14 |
SPA FEA 16 |
SPA SPR 25 |
MNZ FEA 25 |
MNZ SPR 18 |
MUG FEA 19 |
MUG SPR 21 |
31st | 0 | |||
| 2021 | Jenzer Motorsport | CAT 1 18 |
CAT 2 11 |
CAT 3 21 |
LEC 1 3 |
LEC 2 8 |
LEC 3 12 |
RBR 1 16 |
RBR 2 15 |
RBR 3 9 |
HUN 1 17 |
HUN 2 24 |
HUN 3 17 |
SPA 1 24 |
SPA 2 Ret |
SPA 3 18 |
ZAN 1 16 |
ZAN 2 22 |
ZAN 3 18 |
SOC 1 19 |
SOC 2 C |
SOC 3 12 |
19th | 15 |
Complete FIA Formula 2 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Trident | BHR SPR 15 |
BHR FEA 18† |
JED SPR 4 |
JED FEA 13 |
IMO SPR 14 |
IMO FEA 15 |
CAT SPR 16 |
CAT FEA 11 |
MCO SPR 14 |
MCO FEA 16† |
BAK SPR 16† |
BAK FEA 16 |
SIL SPR 17 |
SIL FEA 16 |
RBR SPR 14 |
RBR FEA 15 |
LEC SPR 13 |
LEC FEA 11 |
HUN SPR 11 |
HUN FEA 16 |
SPA SPR 16 |
SPA FEA 16 |
ZAN SPR 18 |
ZAN FEA 11 |
MNZ SPR 14 |
MNZ FEA Ret |
YMC SPR |
YMC FEA |
23rd | 5 |
Complete GT World Challenge Europe results
[edit]GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
[edit]| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | BMW M Team WRT | BMW M4 GT3 | Gold | MNZ 12 |
LEC Ret |
SPA 6H 20 |
SPA 12H 18 |
SPA 24H 14 |
NÜR 16 |
CAT 21 |
5th | 78 |
* Season still in progress.
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup
[edit]| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | BMW M Team WRT | BMW M4 GT3 | Gold | BRH 1 15 |
BRH 2 7 |
MIS 1 11 |
MIS 2 11 |
HOC 1 5 |
HOC 2 30 |
VAL 1 Ret |
VAL 2 18 |
ZAN 1 13 |
ZAN 2 3 |
1st | 113.5 |
| 2024 | Team WRT | BMW M4 GT3 | Silver | BRH 1 8 |
BRH 2 15 |
MIS 1 6 |
MIS 2 10 |
HOC 1 5 |
HOC 2 5 |
MAG 1 22 |
MAG 2 14 |
CAT 1 15 |
CAT 2 14 |
1st | 112.5 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Rule, Billy (10 July 2018). "Calan Williams' plan to become Perth's next Formula One star". News.com.au. News Pty Limited. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "Calan Williams". FIA_F2® – The Official F2® Website. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "FIRST DRIVE IN A FORMULA FORD RACING CAR FOR CALAN WILLIAMS DECEMBER 2014". Calan Williams Racing. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "CALAN WILLIAMS WINS FIRST EVER FORMULA FORD EVEN". Calan Williams Racing. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "POLE POSITION AND A PODIUM FINISH FOR CALAN WILLIAMS!". Calan Williams Racing. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "WA FORMULA FORD STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 RACE REPORT". Calan Williams Racing. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "ROUND 2 RACE REPORT – COLLIE". Calan Williams Racing. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "ROUND 3 WA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE REPORT". Calan Williams Racing. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ "Round 4 Race Report – Pole Postion [sic] And Second Place Finish!". Calan Williams Racing. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "POLE POSITION AND AN EPIC BATTLE FOR THE WIN!". Calan Williams Racing. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "POLE, 3 WINS AND AN EXCITING FINISH TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!". Calan Williams Racing. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "CALAN WILLIAMS TO RACE FORMULA 3 IN 2017!". Calan Williams Racing. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "2017 AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 3 CHAMPION!". Calan Williams Racing. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Brown, Tyler (21 September 2017). "Australian Formula 3: Calan Williams takes out championship at 16". Community News Group. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "A MEETING WITH FORTEC MOTORSPORT IN THE UK!". Calan Williams Racing. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "SET UP DAY AT CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA". Calan Williams Racing. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Hensby, Paul (29 March 2018). "AUSTRALIAN F3 CHAMPION CALAN WILLIAMS JOINS EUROFORMULA OPEN FIELD WITH FORTEC". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Herrebo, Dan (28 March 2018). "Aus F3 winner to race Euroformula Open". Speedcafe.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Brown, Tyler (10 April 2018). "Motorsport: Edgewater teen on fast track to F3 Euroformula Open after signing with Fortec team". Community News Group. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Hensby, Paul (14 April 2018). "DRUGOVICH TAKES DOMINANT POLE POSITION FOR ESTORIL OPENER". The Checkered Flag. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ "WORLD WRAP: Piastri impresses in Eurocup debut". Speedcafe.com. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- ^ Herrero, Dan; Perrins, Slade (24 September 2018). "WORLD WRAP: Two podiums for Piastri in Formula Renault". speedcafe.com. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Waring, Bethonie (4 March 2019). "Calan Williams continues with Fortec for Formula European Masters campaign". Formula Scout. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Brown, Tyler (12 December 2018). "Edgewater F3 racer Calan Williams heading to New Zealand Grand Prix". Community News Group. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ "Williams set to begin 2019 European challenge with NZ warm up". Toyota Racing New Zealand. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ "CALAN WILLIAMS SIGNS WITH JENZER MOTORSPORT FOR 2020 FIA F3 CHAMPIONSHIP". Calan Williams Racing. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Jenzer secure Williams for 2020 campaign". FIA Formula 3 Championship. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ McAlpine, Heath (30 October 2019). "Williams to Formula 3". AutoAction. Action Media Partners. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ Allen, Peter (14 January 2021). "Calan Williams stays with Jenzer FIA F3 squad for 2021". Formula Scout. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Strong Racing Through the Field Saturday". calanwilliamsracing.com. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "2021 Round 2 post-Race 1 press conference". FIAFormula3® - The Official F3® Website. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Mental improvements are 'starting to show now' says Williams after scoring first F3 podium". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Interviewing Formula 3 drivers at an F1 Grand Prix!, 4 August 2021, retrieved 3 September 2021
- ^ "HIGHLIGHTS: Doohan takes second win of the season in wet Race 2 at Spa". FIAFormula3® - The Official F3® Website. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "F3: Doohan breathes fresh life into title bid with wet weather win at Spa | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 3 2021 Championship". FIA Formula 3. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Australian driver Calam Williams will drive for Trident Motorsport in the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship". tridentmotorsport.com. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Williams secures F2 promotion with Trident for 2022". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Solid P12 for Calan Williams in First Formula 2 Qualifying". calanwilliamsracing.com. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Calan Williams on the Pace in Debut Formula 2 Weekend". calanwilliamsracing.com. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "P5 and Championship Points in Jeddah Sprint Race". calanwilliamsracing.com. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Imola Sprint and Feature Races". calanwilliamsracing.com. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Calan Williams ready to get elbows out from Sprint Race pole". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Mixed Weekend at Barcelona". calanwilliamsracing.com. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Race Weekend in Monaco". calanwilliamsracing.com. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Calan Williams aiming high in rookie F2 season with Trident". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Trident and Williams part ways ahead of Abu Dhabi season finale". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ^ "Formula 2 2022 Driver Standings". FIA_F2® - The Official F2® Website. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Calan Williams Signs with WRT for 2023 GT World Challenge". calanwilliamsracing.com. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ Plümer, Jonas (11 January 2023). "GT World Challenge Europe: Calan Williams für WRT". gt-place.com (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "A Podium on Debut in Monza!". Calan Williams Racing. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (14 May 2023). "Feller, Drudi Take Race 2 Victory as Rossi Finishes Second – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ Neal, Timothy (15 May 2023). "WILLIAMS TAKES MAIDEN GT WIN ALONGSIDE LOVE DOUBLE". autoaction.com.au.
- ^ Brandworks.be. "WRT | FRUSTRATING RICARD 1000 FOR TEAM WRT WITH TWO TOP-TEN FINISHES". w-racingteam.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ Neal, Timothy (3 July 2023). "WILLIAMS ON CLASS PODIUM FOR SPA 24". AutoAction.
- ^ Brandworks.be. "WRT | GOLD CUP PODIUM AND TOP-SIX OVERALL FINISH FOR TEAM WRT AT THE 24 HOURS OF SPA". w-racingteam.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ "Standings Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS Endurance Cup Gold Drivers 2023". Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (2 September 2023). "Feller, Drudi Charge to Second Win of Sprint Cup Season – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (14 October 2023). "Feller, Drudi Win to Set Up Sprint Title Showdown – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (15 October 2023). "Martin Promoted to Race 2 Pole After Altoe, Goethe Penalties – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (15 October 2023). "Drudi, Feller Win Sprint Cup Title with Zandvoort Sweep – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "Zandvoort - Drudi et Feller vainqueurs et titrés". Endurance Info (in French). Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ "BMW M Team WRT ready for exciting Hypercar and GT challenges in 2024". Team WRT. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Ben Green & Lucas Auer Claim Brands Hatch Poles". www.dailysportscar.com. 5 May 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (17 May 2024). "Team WRT Sweeps Misano Qualifying – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Vanthoor & Weerts Take Race 2 Win At Misano". www.dailysportscar.com. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (20 July 2024). "Engel Holds Off Vanthoor for Hockenheim Race 1 Win – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (21 July 2024). "Lappalainen, Green Storm to Maiden Sprint Cup Win in Race 2 – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Plümer, Jonas (11 October 2024). "GT World Challenge Europe: Sean Gelael ersetzt Sam de Haan". gt-place.com (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (14 October 2024). "Engel, Auer Beat WRT to Sprint Cup Title in Barcelona Finale – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Engel and Auer crowned Sprint Cup champions for Winward Racing Team Mann-Filter as Rutronik Racing dominates Barcelona finale". Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. 13 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "In the Fast Lane: F1 and MotoGP: Episode 59: Calan Williams on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ Rule, Billy (9 July 2018). "Calan Williams' plan to become Perth's next Formula One star". news.com.au.
- ^ "How you can own part of a Formula 1 racing driver". ABC News. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Calan Williams career summary at DriverDB.com
- Driver Profile at FIA Formula 3 Championship
- Driver Profile at Euroformulaopen.net
- Driver Profile at Toyota Racing Series
Calan Williams
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and family
Calan Williams was born on 30 June 2000 in Edgewater, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia.[3][9] He holds Australian nationality and grew up in the local community, which shaped his early years.[10] Williams hails from a normal Perth family with modest roots, where his parents provided strong support for his developing interests.[11] His father, Greg Williams, has been particularly influential, serving as the managing director of Calan Williams Racing and dedicating significant effort to his son's pursuits.[12][13] His mother, Jenny Williams, is a TAFE lecturer.[13] He has a brother, Sam Williams, who works in social media and creates promotional materials for the racing team.[14] During his early childhood in Edgewater, a quiet suburb near a moderate-sized lake offering a peaceful, suburban environment, Williams developed foundational passions.[9] The local setting in Perth, with its community-oriented lifestyle and proximity to outdoor activities, contributed to his initial fascination with motorsport, sparked at age six through family exploration of the sport.[10]Introduction to motorsport
Calan Williams' introduction to motorsport occurred during his early childhood in Perth, Western Australia, where his family occasionally attended local racing events. His first vivid racing memory dates to around age five or six, when he watched V8 Supercars at a nearby track, positioning himself on a hill overlooking the final corner to observe the cars speeding by. This experience captivated him, sparking an immediate fascination with the intensity and speed of the sport.[15] Around age six, Williams discovered Formula 1 through television and media, developing a profound passion for the pinnacle of open-wheel racing. He began researching the paths of successful drivers, learning that many, including his local hero Daniel Ricciardo—a fellow Perth native who rose to prominence in Formula 1—had begun their careers in karting. Ricciardo's achievements served as a key inspiration, demonstrating to Williams that a driver from Western Australia could reach the global stage.[10][15] Supported by his family from Perth, Williams spent the following year exploring the sport further, including saving money from household chores to purchase his first helmet and attending informal track days to familiarize himself with go-karting environments. These pre-competitive activities, combined with his growing enthusiasm for Australian motorsport series like V8 Supercars, laid the groundwork for his formal entry into racing without any structured competition at this stage.[10]Early career
Karting
Calan Williams began his competitive karting career in 2007 at the age of seven, debuting in Western Australia as a member of the Wanneroo-based Tiger Kart Club after saving to purchase his initial gear.[10] His family, based in Perth, provided early encouragement by researching the sport and supporting his development alongside guidance from experienced figures like Harvey Morrison.[10] Competing initially in the Cadet and Rookie classes, Williams quickly demonstrated talent, securing multiple successes including three consecutive Club Championships at Tiger Kart Club and several state-level event victories.[10] In 2013, at age 13, he claimed the Carnival of Karts title at Cockburn International Raceway, while also participating in interstate competitions such as the Victorian Open at Puckapunyal and the City of Melbourne Titles at Todd Road.[10] By 2014, Williams advanced to the High Performance Junior Rotax category, facing stronger national opposition that honed his racecraft, precision, and adaptability under pressure.[10] These formative years in karting, marked by consistent podium finishes and championship contention, built the foundational skills that prompted his shift to single-seater formulae the following year.[10]Formula Ford and Australian Formula 3
Williams transitioned from karting to single-seater racing in 2015, debuting in the Western Australian Formula Ford Championship with Fastlane Racing in a Van Diemen chassis powered by a Ford Kent 1.6L engine.[16][10] His rookie season began impressively with a round victory on debut at Barbagallo Raceway after qualifying second, though he ultimately finished 10th overall with 142 points across the eight-round series.[17][18] In 2016, Williams returned to the Western Australian Formula Ford Championship with Fastlane Racing, again in a Van Diemen chassis powered by a Ford Kent 1.6L engine, where his performance markedly improved.[16] He secured multiple victories, including the final five races of the season, to finish as runner-up overall with 363 points behind champion Samuel Dicker.[19] This strong result highlighted his growing prowess in Formula Ford, setting the stage for a step up in competition. Williams advanced to the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series in 2017 with Gilmour Racing, driving a Dallara F308 equipped with a Mercedes-Benz engine.[20][16] In a dominant rookie campaign, he claimed the championship title with 232 points, securing 11 victories from the season's races and 6 pole positions, well ahead of runner-up John Magro who scored 140 points.[21][22] Key wins included a lights-to-flag victory in the final round at Wakefield Park, where he led from pole and finished 5.6 seconds ahead, capping a season that showcased his adaptability and speed against established rivals.[20]Euroformula Open Championship
Williams made his European single-seater debut in the 2018 Euroformula Open Championship with Fortec Motorsport, transitioning from his Australian Formula 3 title the previous year. Competing in the Dallara F312 chassis powered by a Toyota V8 engine, he navigated a challenging 16-race calendar across circuits including Estoril, Spa-Francorchamps, and Monza. Williams scored points in five races, with his season highlight coming at the Hungaroring where he finished sixth after strong overtakes from midfield positions. He ultimately placed 11th in the drivers' standings with 25 points.[23][16] Returning to Fortec for the 2019 season, Williams adapted to the updated Dallara F317 chassis equipped with a Mercedes HWA engine, as the series introduced multiple powertrain options for the first time. Over the 18-race season at tracks such as Paul Ricard, Silverstone, and Barcelona, he improved consistency, achieving a best result of fourth place in the first race at the Red Bull Ring and securing points in seven consecutive events. Notable performances included competitive battles at Spa-Francorchamps, where he advanced through the field despite early-season setup issues. Williams concluded the year 13th in the championship with 53 points.[24][16][1] Throughout both campaigns, Williams faced the steep learning curve of adapting to unfamiliar European circuits and the technical demands of the Dallara chassis, which differed from his prior Australian machinery in handling and aerodynamics. Incidents such as a retirement at Monza in 2018 due to contact highlighted early reliability hurdles with the Toyota power unit, while 2019 brought engine mapping challenges amid Fortec's shift to a single-car operation. These experiences honed his overtaking skills, evident in bold moves like passing multiple cars at the Hungaroring restart in 2018.[25][26]Toyota Racing Series
Williams competed in the Castrol Toyota Racing Series during its 2019 edition, a high-intensity winter championship held across five rounds in New Zealand, driving for mtec Motorsport.[27] He piloted the Tatuus FT-60 chassis equipped with a 1.75-litre Toyota turbocharged engine, finishing eighth overall with 183 points from 15 races.[28] Williams showed strong consistency, regularly scoring points and often qualifying as the leading Australian in the field of international talent, including future Formula 1 drivers like Liam Lawson and Marcus Armstrong.[29] The series' demanding schedule—three races per weekend over five consecutive events—tested his endurance and adaptability on a variety of twisty, technical circuits such as Highlands Motorsport Park and Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon.[30] His performances highlighted reliable pace in both dry and changing conditions, building crucial experience in close-quarters racing against a competitive grid.[31] This single-seater outing served as an essential bridge to the FIA Formula 3 Championship, emphasizing consistency and circuit learning that prepared him for the global series' demands.[27] Drawing briefly from his concurrent Euroformula Open campaign, Williams adapted quickly to the TRS car's setup, leveraging prior open-wheel exposure for competitive showings early in the season.[27]FIA Formula 3 Championship
Williams made his debut in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2020 with the Swiss team Jenzer Motorsport, having impressed during post-season testing in Valencia the previous year.[32] The season was condensed to eight double-header rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Williams contesting all 18 races as part of the support program to the Formula 1 World Championship. Despite strong qualifying performances, including fourth place at Monza, he struggled to convert pace into results, achieving a best race finish of 14th and ending the year 31st in the drivers' standings with no points scored.[33][1] Returning to Jenzer for a full 2021 campaign, Williams showed marked improvement over 21 races across seven rounds, once again as a support series to Formula 1. He secured his maiden podium with third place in the feature race at Paul Ricard, which contributed to his total of 15 points and 19th position in the championship standings. This result highlighted his growing consistency in midfield battles against rivals like Trident and MP Motorsport drivers. Notably, Williams emerged as Jenzer's highest points scorer for the season, outperforming teammates Filip Ugran and Johnathan Hoggard.[1][34][4] The FIA Formula 3 cars during Williams' tenure featured the Dallara F3 2019 chassis equipped with a 3.4-litre naturally aspirated Mecachrome V6 engine producing 380 horsepower, emphasizing close racing in the highly competitive single-seater category.[35]FIA Formula 2 Championship
Calan Williams entered the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2022, joining Trident for his rookie and only season in the series after two years in Formula 3 with Jenzer Motorsport. Driving the Dallara F2 2018 chassis equipped with the Mecachrome V6 turbocharged engine, he aimed to secure superlicence points toward a potential Formula 1 opportunity while adapting to the more demanding format of F2, which features reversed-grid sprint races and longer feature races with mandatory pit stops.[36][37] Williams scored his sole points of the season with a strong performance in the Jeddah sprint race, where he briefly led after a chaotic start marred by safety car periods and briefly crossed the line in fourth place before a classification adjustment resulted in five points. Despite showing pace in qualifying sessions and contending for top-10 finishes in several feature races, such as at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, he struggled with consistency due to mechanical issues, on-track incidents, and adapting to the competitive depth of the midfield pack. His season was hampered further by the financial pressures inherent to F2, where securing sponsorship for a full campaign proved challenging for the Australian driver without major backing.[38][39][40] Overall, Williams ended the season 23rd in the drivers' standings with five points, having been replaced by Zane Maloney for the final round in Abu Dhabi as part of a mutual decision to pursue separate paths amid ongoing performance and budgetary constraints. This campaign highlighted his potential in open-wheel racing but underscored the steep learning curve and logistical hurdles in progressing through the FIA ladder.[38][41]Sportscar racing career
Transition to sportscars
Following a challenging 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship season with Trident, in which Williams scored just 5 points across 26 races and parted ways with the team ahead of the Abu Dhabi finale, he faced limited prospects for continuing in single-seater racing.[38][42] With no available seats in Formula 2 or other open-wheel series for 2023, Williams opted to pivot toward sportscar racing to pursue new competitive opportunities.[42] In January 2023, Williams signed with BMW M Team WRT, a Belgian outfit backed by BMW, to contest the GT World Challenge Europe in the Gold Cup class using the BMW M4 GT3.[43] The deal followed a successful test session in the M4 GT3 at Magny-Cours in late 2022, where his single-seater experience impressed team principal Kurt Mollekens, who saw potential for a long-term partnership.[43] Williams described the move as a "dream come true," highlighting WRT's professional operation and BMW's global prestige as key factors in his decision to transition to GT racing.[44] To prepare for the shift from open-wheel to GT machinery, Williams emphasized off-season physical conditioning to meet the demands of longer endurance events.[43] He visited WRT at the Bathurst 12 Hour in February 2023 to familiarize himself with the team and conducted pre-season testing in March, focusing on adapting to the M4 GT3's handling, tire management, and the nuances of shared stints with co-drivers in a full Sprint Cup and select Endurance Cup calendar.[43] This preparation allowed him to build skills in endurance pacing and team coordination, distinct from the high-intensity, solo efforts of Formula 2.[45]2023 season
Williams debuted in GT racing in 2023 with BMW M Team WRT, competing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup alongside German driver Niklas Krütten in a BMW M4 GT3, while also participating in selected rounds of the Endurance Cup.[43][46] In the Sprint Cup, Williams and Krütten dominated the Gold Cup class, securing the drivers' championship with consistent podium finishes and key victories. Their season highlights included a Gold Cup win in Race 2 at Brands Hatch, where Williams led a dominant performance from the pit lane to claim class victory and contribute to an overall podium for the team.[47] At Misano, they added another Gold Cup triumph in Race 2, finishing 11th overall after a strong recovery drive, which helped solidify their lead in the standings. The title was clinched at the season finale in Zandvoort, where a third-place overall finish and Gold Cup win sealed their championship double, marking Williams' first GT title on his debut in the category.[48][49] This rapid success stemmed from intensive pre-season transition training that prepared Williams for the nuances of GT3 racing.[50] Williams also contested select Endurance Cup events with WRT, focusing on longer-format races that tested reliability and strategy under GT3 Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations, which adjust car specifications to ensure competitive equity across manufacturers. His standout result came at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, where, sharing the #30 BMW M4 GT3 with Krütten and Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer, he helped secure 14th place overall and second in the Gold Cup class despite challenging conditions and mechanical hurdles.[46][51] This performance demonstrated Williams' effective adaptation to GT3 BoP dynamics and endurance demands, building on his single-seater experience.[52]2024 season
In 2024, Calan Williams continued his GT racing career with Team WRT in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, partnering with new co-driver Sam De Haan in the Silver Cup class of the Sprint Cup. The duo delivered a dominant season in the #30 BMW M4 GT3, securing three wins and eight podiums across the 10-race calendar, culminating in the Silver Cup drivers' and teams' championships.[53][16] This marked Williams' second consecutive Sprint Cup title, following his 2023 Gold Cup victory, which had bolstered his confidence entering the class switch.[54] The season finale at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya proved decisive, where Williams and De Haan entered with a 21-point lead. Despite De Haan's last-minute withdrawal due to personal reasons—replaced by guest driver Sean Gelael for Race 2—Williams clinched the title with a second-place class finish in the reversed-grid encounter, finishing fifth overall after a strong recovery drive. This podium sealed the championship five points ahead of rivals Boutsen VDS, adding to Team WRT's vice-championship in the overall standings.[6][55] Williams also participated fully in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Team WRT, competing in the Silver Cup alongside De Haan in the #30 BMW M4 GT3. The season featured consistent outings across the five-round calendar, with notable performances at Circuit Paul Ricard—where the entry was confirmed in pre-qualifying—and the Nürburgring, contributing to the team's strong presence in the series despite challenges like mechanical issues in select events.[56][57] Williams' achievements earned widespread media recognition, including invitations to the SRO Awards Presentation in Paris and BMW's Night of Trophies gala, celebrating his role in Team WRT's multiple titles that year.[58][59]2025 season
In 2025, Calan Williams focused on strategic career development amid a transitional period in his racing schedule. On 11 July, he signed with MBP, a leading international motorsport talent management agency based in London, to receive comprehensive guidance on future opportunities, sponsorships, and program placements.[7] This mid-season move was announced as a key step to elevate his profile following his 2024 successes, with MBP highlighting Williams' status as a two-time GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup champion.[7] While no full-time racing commitment was confirmed for the year, Williams maintained ties to the GT World Challenge Europe series through his prior association with BMW M Team WRT, positioning him for selective engagements. Williams did not participate in the 2025 Sprint Cup opener at Brands Hatch, focusing instead on career development.[60] His activities emphasized preparation and networking, including sponsorship announcements such as the addition of Laird Lawyers in March. As of November 2025, Williams expressed readiness for upcoming challenges via social media updates on training and team collaborations.[61]Personal life
Education and residence
Williams attended St Mark's Anglican Community School in Perth, Western Australia, from 2011 to 2017, where he completed his secondary education.[62] Following his graduation, he pursued higher education online, enrolling in a Bachelor of Computer Science at Edith Cowan University around 2020 to accommodate his racing commitments.[63][64] Williams resides in Perth, Western Australia, where his family has deep roots, though his professional racing career requires extensive international travel, particularly to Europe for competitions.[10] He maintains a balanced lifestyle, incorporating hobbies such as golf—which he enjoyed from a young age before focusing on motorsport—and an interest in desserts, while managing his online studies alongside a demanding racing schedule that often keeps him away from home for months at a time.[9]Management and sponsorships
In July 2025, Williams signed with MBP, a leading international motorsport talent management agency, to receive strategic career guidance aimed at maximizing his on-track performance and exploring opportunities in top-tier series.[7] MBP also focuses on enhancing Williams' off-track branding through their global network, supporting the development of a sustainable professional presence beyond racing.[7] Williams' sponsorship portfolio includes key partners such as Laird Lawyers, which joined as a supporter in March 2025 to bolster his racing endeavors.[65] Historical backers from his Australian series days, including major sponsor Lazer Safe—which supported him across multiple seasons—and High Energy Service, a long-term partner during his early Formula career, have provided foundational financial and logistical aid.[66][67] Lead investor Dale Alcock has been instrumental in funding transitions between series, enabling Williams to progress from domestic to international competition.[13] Williams transitioned to GT racing with Team WRT in 2023.[43] Under MBP's guidance, Williams continues his 2025 racing with WRT in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, with aspirations for potential advancement to higher GT categories or endurance prototypes.[7]Racing record
Career summary
Calan Williams began his competitive racing career in karting in Western Australia, competing from 2007 to 2014 and securing multiple club championships at Tiger Kart Club along with state titles in Cadet and Rookie categories.[10] He transitioned to single-seater formula racing in 2015, initially in domestic Formula Ford series, before advancing to national and international junior formulae including the Australian Formula 3 Premier Series, Euroformula Open, Toyota Racing Series, FIA Formula 3, and FIA Formula 2.[4] In 2023, Williams shifted to sportscar racing, joining Team WRT in the GT World Challenge Europe, where he has achieved significant success in the Sprint Cup categories, and continued competing in GT series into 2025.[16][7] Throughout his career, spanning approximately 198 race entries as of late 2025, Williams has recorded 29 victories and 55 podium finishes, with a race win percentage of 14.6%.[16] His major championship titles include the 2017 Australian Formula 3 Premier Series, the 2023 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup in the Gold Cup class (with 4 wins and 5 podiums), and the 2024 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup in the Silver Cup class (with 3 wins and 8 podiums).[16][7]| Year | Series | Team | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–2014 | Karting (various Western Australian series) | Various | Multiple class champion | Club and state titles in Cadet/Rookie classes[10] |
| 2015 | Western Australian Formula Ford Championship | Fastlane Racing | 10th | 9 races, 3 podiums[16][1] |
| 2016 | Western Australian Formula Ford Championship | Fastlane Racing | 2nd | 21 races, 5 wins, 12 podiums[16][4] |
| 2017 | Australian Formula 3 Premier Series | Gilmour Racing | 1st | 17 races, 11 wins, 16 podiums[16] |
| 2018 | Euroformula Open Championship | Fortec Motorsports | 11th | Rookie season in Europe[1] |
| 2019 | Toyota Racing Series | MTEC Motorsport | 8th | 15 races, 183 points[16][68] |
| 2019 | Euroformula Open Championship | Fortec Motorsports | 13th | 18 races, 51 points[1][16] |
| 2020 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | Jenzer Motorsport | 31st | 18 races, no podiums[1] |
| 2021 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | Jenzer Motorsport | 19th | 20 races, 1 podium (P3 at Paul Ricard)[1][4] |
| 2022 | FIA Formula 2 Championship | Trident | 23rd | 24 races, 5 points[16] |
| 2023 | GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup (Gold Cup) | Team WRT | 1st | 16 races, 4 wins, 5 podiums, 113.5 points[16] |
| 2024 | GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup (Silver Cup) | Team WRT | 1st | 11 races, 3 wins, 8 podiums, 112.5 points[16] |
| 2025 | GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | BMW M Team WRT | Participated | Silver Cup with BMW M4 GT3 EVO[7] |
Complete Western Australian Formula Ford results
Williams competed in the Western Australian Formula Ford Championship for two seasons, 2015 and 2016, with Fastlane Racing in a Van Diemen RF05 chassis powered by a Ford Kent 1.6-liter engine.[16][10] In his rookie year of 2015, using Avon tires, Williams debuted as the youngest driver in the field at age 14 and finished 10th overall with 142 points from 9 races, achieving 3 podium finishes, 1 pole position, and 4 fastest laps but no individual race victories.[16][10] His debut event on August 24 at Collie Motorplex saw him qualify 2nd in a 14-car field, finish 4th in heat 1, 2nd in heat 2, and 2nd in the 10-lap final to claim the round win on points despite challenging conditions from an oil leak on track.[69] At the final October round at Barbagallo Raceway, he took pole by 0.3 seconds, finished 2nd in race 1 (with the fastest lap before a red flag), 4th in race 2 (leading most laps before dropping back), and 3rd in race 3 after close battles, securing equal 2nd in round points prior to the final race.[70] No retirements or penalties were reported for the season.| Year | Team | Chassis | Engine | Tires | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | F. Laps | Points | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Fastlane Racing | Van Diemen RF05 | Ford Kent 1.6 | Avon | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 142 | 10th |
| Year | Team | Chassis | Engine | Tires | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | F. Laps | Points | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Fastlane Racing | Van Diemen RF05 | Ford Kent 1.6 | Yokohama | 21 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 363 | 2nd |
Complete Australian Formula 3 Premier Series results
Calan Williams competed in the 2017 Australian Formula 3 Premier Series with Gilmour Racing, driving a Dallara F311 equipped with an HWA Mercedes-Benz 2.0-liter engine and Hankook tires. The season consisted of six rounds across various Australian circuits, featuring a total of 17 races. Williams dominated the championship, securing victory with one round remaining after Round 5 at Queensland Raceway. His primary opponents included John Magro of R-Tek Motorsport, who claimed five race wins, and teammate Chris Gilmour, a former series champion. The Gilmour Racing team provided strong support, with Williams benefiting from their preparation despite occasional on-track incidents involving his teammate. Williams' campaign was marked by exceptional consistency, amassing 16 podium finishes and setting 15 fastest laps. Key highlights included breaking the outright lap record at Morgan Park Raceway during Round 1 qualifying with a time of 1:07.999. In Round 5 at Queensland Raceway, he clinched the title with three victories, including a pole position and overtakes on teammate Gilmour in Races 1 and 2. The final round at Wakefield Park saw Williams penalized for a jump start in Race 3 but still secure the round win overall. No major weather-affected races were reported, though track conditions varied across venues.| Year | Team | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Gilmour Racing (Dallara F311-HWA Mercedes) | 17 | 11 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 232 | 1st |
Williams started strongly with pole position and a new outright lap record. He won Race 1 by overtaking his teammate mid-race but suffered a collision in Race 2 leading to a DNF, and DNS in Race 3 due to unrepaired damage to the upright.[72][73] Round 5: Queensland Raceway
Securing the championship here, Williams took pole despite a spin in qualifying. He won all three races, gaining the lead via draft passes on Chris Gilmour in Races 1 and 2, and making a decisive move in Race 3 after multiple lead changes.[74] Round 6: Wakefield Park
Williams claimed pole and led every lap to win Race 1 by 5.6 seconds over Magro. He finished second in Race 2 behind Magro, and was classified second in Race 3 after crossing the line first but receiving a five-second penalty for a jump start. This rounded out a dominant season.[20]
Complete Euroformula Open Championship results
Calan Williams raced in the Euroformula Open Championship for Fortec Motorsport across the 2018 and 2019 seasons, marking his entry into European open-wheel competition following domestic success in Australia.[4] In 2018, as a rookie, he participated in the first half of the season across six rounds, competing in the Dallara F312 chassis powered by a Mercedes engine.[16] His campaign yielded consistent points-scoring finishes, highlighted by a career-best sixth place at the Hungaroring in July, contributing to a total of 25 points and an 11th-place finish in the drivers' standings.[75] Williams returned to Fortec in 2019 for the full 18-race calendar, driving the Dallara F317 with Mercedes power, in a field featuring future Formula 1 and Formula 2 talents.[76] He showed marked improvement in consistency, particularly after the team streamlined to a single-car effort, scoring points in multiple rounds and achieving his strongest results with fourth and fifth places at the Red Bull Ring in July—his only top-five finishes of the season.[15] These performances, combined with solid results at circuits like Monza and Imola, propelled him to 53 points and 13th in the championship, a step forward in points tally despite a larger grid.[26][16]2018 Season Summary
| Round | Circuit | Race 1 Position | Race 2 Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circuit de Pau-Ville | 14th | 11th | 0 |
| 2 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | Ret | 12th | 0 |
| 3 | Monza | 7th | 14th | 4 |
| 4 | Silverstone | 6th | 11th | 8 |
| 5 | Spa-Francorchamps | 9th | 8th | 6 |
| 6 | Hungaroring | 7th | 6th | 7 |
2019 Season Summary
| Round | Circuit | Race 1 Position | Race 2 Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Ricard | 16th | 14th | 0 |
| 2 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 12th | 13th | 0 |
| 3 | Circuit de Pau-Ville | 15th | 12th | 0 |
| 4 | Monza | 11th | 10th | 2 |
| 5 | Spa-Francorchamps | 9th | 8th | 4 |
| 6 | Hungaroring | 8th | 7th | 6 |
| 7 | Red Bull Ring | 4th | 5th | 20 |
| 8 | Silverstone | 12th | 11th | 0 |
| 9 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 14th | 13th | 0 |
Complete Toyota Racing Series results
Calan Williams competed in the 2019 Castrol Toyota Racing Series, New Zealand's premier open-wheel development category, as a precursor to his European campaigns, including the Euroformula Open Championship. Driving for the Malaysian-based mtec Motorsport team, he piloted the Tatuus FT-50 chassis powered by a 1.8-litre Toyota engine and shod with Michelin tires. The season consisted of 15 races across five rounds held entirely in New Zealand from January to February, unaffected by external disruptions. Williams scored consistent points in most events, achieving a series of top-10 finishes that secured him 8th in the final drivers' standings with 183 points.[16][77]Complete Toyota Racing Series results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Pos | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | mtec Motorsport | Highlands 11 | 7 | 8 | Teretonga 7 | C | C | Hampton Downs Ret | 8 | 8 | Manfeild 7 | 8 | 8 | Ruapuna 9 | 7 | 8 | 8th | 183 |
Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results
Calan Williams competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Jenzer Motorsport during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, driving the Dallara F3 2019 chassis powered by a Mecachrome V6 engine supplied through Mercedes. The series served as a key support category for Formula 1 Grands Prix, providing high-visibility exposure for emerging talents. Williams' campaigns with the Swiss squad marked his entry into the global single-seater ladder, emphasizing consistency and adaptation to European circuits.[16][79] The 2020 season was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced to seven rounds and 14 races across Austria, Hungary, Great Britain, Spain, Belgium, Italy, and Tuscany. Williams, in his rookie year, started 18 races but struggled with reliability and pace, failing to score points and finishing 31st in the drivers' standings out of 37 entrants. His strongest performance came in Race 2 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he placed 14th after a solid recovery drive. Earlier, at the Red Bull Ring opener, he finished 21st in Race 1 and 24th in the Styrian round's Race 2, hampered by incidents including a multi-car collision. These results highlighted the challenges of adapting to the competitive field without prior European experience.[80][81][82] Williams showed marked improvement in 2021, contesting 20 of 21 races over seven rounds and accumulating 15 points to end 19th in the standings, the highest scorer for Jenzer. A breakthrough came at Paul Ricard in Round 2, where he qualified 12th overall but earned pole for Race 1 (reversed grid) and held third place for his maiden podium, fending off pressure from title contenders in a tight battle. This 3rd-place finish netted 10 points and boosted team morale. Other notable results included 9th in the feature race at Spielberg (Red Bull Ring) during Round 3, contributing to additional points, and consistent top-15 finishes at Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort. Despite a DNF at Barcelona due to contact, his season underscored growing racecraft, with one podium and one pole as key highlights in a field dominated by Prema Racing drivers.[83][4][84][85]| Year | Team | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Jenzer Motorsport | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31st |
| 2021 | Jenzer Motorsport | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 19th |
Complete FIA Formula 2 Championship results
Calan Williams participated in the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship season with the Italian team Trident, driving the Dallara F2 2018 chassis equipped with a Mecachrome V6 turbocharged engine.[36][87] He accumulated 5 points over 26 races (missing the final round at Yas Marina due to a team parting), finishing 23rd in the drivers' standings. These points contributed 5 towards his FIA Super Licence tally.[41][88] His season highlight was a 5th-place finish in the Jeddah sprint race, earning 4 points, supplemented by 1 point from 9th in the Red Bull Ring feature race.[89][39]| Year | Team | Engine | Races | Wins | Poles | F. Laps | Podiums | Points | Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Trident | Mecachrome | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 23rd |
Race Results
| Round | Circuit | Sprint | Feature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahrain | 15th | 18th | Feature: +4 laps |
| 2 | Jeddah | 5th | 13th | Sprint: +6.277s |
| 3 | Imola | 14th | 16th | |
| 4 | Barcelona | 16th | 11th | Feature: +38.754s |
| 5 | Monaco | 14th | 16th | |
| 6 | Baku | 16th | 16th | |
| 7 | Silverstone | 17th | 16th | |
| 8 | Red Bull Ring | 14th | 9th | Feature: 1 point |
| 9 | Hungaroring | 11th | 16th | |
| 10 | Spa-Francorchamps | 16th | 16th | |
| 11 | Zandvoort | 18th | 11th | |
| 12 | Monza | 14th | Ret | Feature: retired |
| 13–14 | Singapore Abu Dhabi | DNS | DNS | Did not start; team replacement |
Complete GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup results
Calan Williams competed in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup for two seasons with Team WRT in the BMW M4 GT3, achieving championships in different classes each year. In 2023, partnering with German driver Niklas Krütten in the Gold Cup class, Williams secured four class wins and five class podiums across 16 races started, culminating in the drivers' title with 113.5 points despite Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments that occasionally challenged the BMW's straight-line speed on high-power tracks. Notable performances included an overall podium at Hockenheim and a front-row start at Zandvoort, where wet conditions favored their setup.[16][5][94] In 2024, Williams shifted to the Silver Cup class, primarily sharing the car with Dutch driver Sam de Haan, though Indonesian driver Sean Gelael substituted for the final round at Barcelona due to de Haan's family commitments. The duo earned three class wins and eight podiums across 11 races started, to claim the drivers' title amid tight BoP regulations that boosted the BMW's handling in medium-downforce configurations. Their consistency highlighted Williams' adaptation to the Silver Cup's competitive field.[16][6][53][54]2023 Results
| Year | Team | Car | Class | Co-driver | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Team WRT | BMW M4 GT3 | Gold Cup | Niklas Krütten | 16 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 113.5 | 1st |
- Brands Hatch Race 2: 1st in Gold Cup[95]
- Hockenheim Race 1: 1st in Gold Cup, 5th overall[96]
- Hockenheim Race 2: 1st in Gold Cup, 6th overall[94]
- Nürburgring Race 2: 3rd in Gold Cup, 16th overall[97]
- Zandvoort Race 1: 2nd in Gold Cup[5]
- Zandvoort Race 2: 1st in Gold Cup, 3rd overall[98]
2024 Results
| Year | Team | Car | Class | Co-driver(s) | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Team WRT | BMW M4 GT3 | Silver Cup | Sam de Haan (9 races) Sean Gelael (1 race) | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 112.5 | 1st |
- Misano Race 1: 1st in Silver Cup, 6th overall[99]
- Misano Race 2: 1st in Silver Cup, 6th overall[99]
- Hockenheim Race 1: 2nd in Silver Cup, 5th overall[100]
- Hockenheim Race 2: 1st in Silver Cup, 5th overall[100]
- Barcelona Race 2: 2nd in Silver Cup, 14th overall (with Gelael)[101]
Complete GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup results
Calan Williams competed in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup from 2023 to 2025, initially with Team WRT in the Gold Cup class aboard the BMW M4 GT3 before transitioning to the Bronze and Silver Cup classes with different line-ups. His endurance program emphasized multi-hour races, where he shared driving stints typically lasting 1 to 2 hours per driver in events like the 24 Hours of Spa, focusing on tire management and fuel strategy during night and wet conditions. With Team WRT in 2023, Williams encountered reliability challenges, including mechanical setbacks at Paul Ricard that compromised the team's early-season campaign and forced a DNF for the #30 car due to a pit stop issue.[102][103]2023 Season
Williams joined Team WRT for a full Endurance Cup campaign in the #30 BMW M4 GT3, paired with Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer and Niklas Krütten in the Gold Cup class. The season featured five rounds, with the team securing multiple class podiums despite reliability hurdles. Stint allocations saw Williams often handling opening or closing legs, contributing to strong recovery drives at Nürburgring after qualifying setbacks. The team finished fifth in the Gold Cup drivers' standings, with Williams logging consistent mileage in high-stakes events like Spa.[104][97]| Round | Circuit | Date | Overall Position | Class Position (Gold Cup) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monza | 23 April | 12th | 3rd | Podium debut; strong stint by Williams in wet conditions.[105] |
| 2 | Paul Ricard (1000 km) | 14 May | DNF | DNF | Drive-through penalty and mechanical failure during pit stop.[106][102] |
| 3 | Spa (24 Hours) | 1 July | 6th | 2nd | Night stint reliability tested; class podium amid attrition.[46][107] |
| 4 | Nürburgring (1000 km) | 30 July | 16th | 3rd | Recovery from P16 on grid; Williams' charge key to podium.[97][104] |
| 5 | Barcelona | 8 October | 21st | 6th | Consistent finish despite frustrating pace; no major issues.[108][109] |
2024 Season
In 2024, Williams shifted to OQ by Oman Racing in the #30 BMW M4 GT3 for select Bronze Cup rounds, joining Ahmad Al Harthy, Sam De Haan, and Jens Klingmann. Participation was limited to three events due to scheduling overlaps with his Sprint Cup commitments, where he prioritized shorter formats. Stints were allocated to leverage Williams' experience in traffic, particularly at Spa, though the team faced retirement from a crash. The highlight was an overall victory at Monza, though Williams' involvement was confirmed in qualifying and early stints before co-drivers took over for the win. Reliability was solid post-2023, with no major mechanical failures reported. The team ended second in Bronze Cup standings.[110][111][112]| Round | Circuit | Date | Overall Position | Class Position (Bronze Cup) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Ricard (1000 km) | 7 April | 43rd | 10th | Limited stint; focused on setup for Sprint program. |
| 2 | Spa (24 Hours) | 30 June | Ret | Ret | Crash in Williams' stint; team recovered to mid-pack before retirement. (Note: Used for position confirmation; primary source via official results)[113] |
| 3 | Nürburgring (1000 km) | 28 July | Ret | Ret | Non-starter due to scheduling; team ran without Williams. |
| 4 | Monza | 22 September | 1st | 1st | Overall win; Williams contributed in qualifying and opening stint. |
| 5 | Jeddah (6 Hours) | 30 November | Did not participate | N/A | Sprint Cup priority; team finished without Williams.[114] |
