Who is the Williams' freshly-signed Japanese-Slovak driver?
Williams F1 Team has added reigning Italian F4 champion Kean Nakamura‑Berta to its Driver Academy, marking the latest step in the young racer’s rapid rise through the junior ranks.
Nakamura‑Berta, who holds Japanese and Slovak nationality, has built an impressive résumé despite his age. After starting karting at seven, he quickly progressed to international competition, winning the 2021 CIK‑FIA OKJ World Championship and the 2022 CIK‑FIA OK European Championship.
He moved into single‑seater racing at the end of 2023, debuting in the F4 South East Asia Championship, where he secured two pole positions and a podium. His momentum continued in the 2024 Formula UAE Championship, adding two victories and six further podium finishes.
The 2025 season proved decisive. Racing in Italian F4, Nakamura‑Berta delivered a dominant campaign with nine wins and multiple podiums, securing the championship title. He is set to compete in both the Formula Regional Middle East and Formula Regional European championships in 2026.
By joining the Williams Academy, Nakamura‑Berta will receive structured support as he advances through the junior categories. The programme focuses on developing young drivers on and off the track and has recently seen success with Franco Colapinto’s graduation to a Formula One race seat.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy this year,” Nakamura‑Berta said. “It’s a team with a vast history, and I’m proud to be part of it. Racing in Formula Regional will be a new challenge, but one I’m looking forward to.”
Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets said the team sees strong potential in the young driver. “He has shown a lot of promise, proving that he is capable of learning, adapting and ultimately winning championships. We look forward to working with him this year.”
