Following a successful performance during the December 2021 Official Formula Post Season testing in Abu Dhabi, Calan Williams has secured a full-time seat with Trident Motorsport for the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship.
FIA Formula 2 was established in 2017 as the official training ground for Formula 1, and 9 of the current 20 Formula 1 drivers have graduated through this Championship. The 2022 calendar will be the largest in Formula 2 history with 14 rounds scheduled, all of which take place during Formula 1 Grand Prix events.
Calan made a commanding impression in his debut appearance in a Formula 2 car with Italian team Trident Motorsport during the Official FIA Formula 2 Post Season testing.
The tests were held over 3 days at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi following the final Formula 1 Grand Prix of 2021 and the Formula 1 Post Season tests.
Post Season testing is the chance for drivers to press their case for a full time seats the following season, and in Formula 2 the competition is fierce to gain one of the top 22 seats in the world outside of Formula 1.
Calan was one of only 5 of the 22 drivers in the test experiencing Formula 2 for the first time, with eight of the drivers approaching their third (or more) season.
Conditions were fine for all three days of the test and from Day 1 Calan was impressive. In the afternoon session he posted a time of 1:36.705 to be an amazing P6, and P10 overall for the day.
On Day 3 Calan completed a huge 105 laps, including replicating of a full feature race length run. During the new tyre qualifying simulations, he once again excelled, delivering a 1:36.613 to finish P11 for the day, and impressively only 0.5 seconds from P1.
“The 2021 Abu Dhabi F2 Post Season Test session was very positive for Calan. He was able to adapt very quickly to the FIA F2 car and this allowed him to be competitive both in terms of performance and during the race simulation,” said Trident team Manager Giacomo Ricci.
“We were very impressed with his performance. He has a very high work ethic, and it is great to work with a Driver who dedicates his life every day to go faster. There is already a very strong working bond between Calan and the team.”
“We are proud to have secured Calan with Trident Motorsport allowing us to face the FIA F2 2022 Championship together.”
“I am confident of being able to achieve significant results during the 2022 season.”
Calan is understandably excited about the year ahead in 2022.
“I am extremely happy to have secured the drive with Trident Motorsport. They are incredibly professional team and we have been working very well together over the past couple of months as well as during the Abu Dhabi Post Season tests”, said Calan.
“It’s such a unique chance that I have to step up into Formula 2. I’ll be working harder than ever to ensure that I perform at the best of my ability”
“I am very appreciative of Trident Motorsport for the opportunity and belief in me.”
The 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship will commence on the 18th March in Bahrain
2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship Calendar
18 – 20 March Sakhir (Bahrain)
25 – 27 March Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
22 – 24 April Imola (Italy)
20 – 22 May Barcelona (Spain)
27 – 29 May Monte Carlo (Monaco)
10 – 12 June Baku (Azerbaijan)
1 – 3 July Silverstone (Great Britain)
8 – 10 July Spielberg (Austria)
29 – 31 July Budapest (Hungary)
26 – 28 August Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
2 – 4 September Zandvoort (Netherlands)
9 – 11 September Monza (Italy)
23 – 25 September Sochi (Russia)
18 – 20 November Yas Island (Abu Dhabi)
All images by ©Dutch Photo Agency
