Ex-Formula 2 driver Oliver Rowland has been announced as Williams’ ‘young driver’ for the 2018 Formula 1 season.
Rowland finished third in last season’s F2 championship, claiming race victories in Monaco and Hungary and secured a further eight podiums.
His role as ‘young driver’ at Williams will primarily involve simulator work as well as an outing in the newly-unveiled FW41 during the F1 in-season test at Barcelona in May.
“I am immensely proud to be joining Williams as their official young driver,” said Rowland. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I will be working as hard as I possibly can to help them develop the car this season.
“Williams is a British team with a fantastic heritage and history which has made it one of the most respected teams in the sport.
“It’s always been my ambition to get a role in F1 and I’m very excited to be doing that with Williams.
“They have always given young drivers the opportunity to progress so it’s now up to me to make a good impression and further my development as a driver. Hopefully with my hard work in the simulator and test I can impress the team.
“It’s certainly going to be an exciting challenge ahead and I want to help Williams as the team continues to work to close the gap to the front of the grid in 2018.”
Rowland will dovetail these F1 commitments with his debut campaign in the World Endurance Championship, where he will drive the Ginetta fielded by privateer team Manor in its first season in the LMP1 class.
With the recent rescheduling of the WEC round at Fuji in October, Rowland’s WEC commitments will not clash with any grand prix weekends throughout the season.
Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams added; “I am pleased we have secured the services of Oliver, who is a talented and highly regarded young driver.
“He has raced at many F1 circuits, and his experience and knowledge will complement the team’s ongoing engineering work. His addition to Williams will further strengthen the team.”
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