Karting prodigy Lucas Palacio joins the Williams Racing Driver Academy

Williams Racing today announces rising karting star Lucas Palacio as the latest and youngest addition to its driver academy.

The 10-year-old American has quickly impressed in his short career, getting behind the wheel at just three years old and winning in his official karting debut in 2020 at the age of six.

Since that first race, Lucas has consistently outperformed his competitors, entering the Mini Swift category with an age rating in 2022 and achieving multiple wins and podiums in all championships despite being significantly younger than his competitors.

He continued his impressive rise and a year later won all three Mini Swift National Championships (USPKS, SKUSA Pro Tour and Stars Championship).

This year he graduated to international karting and competed in the WSK Super Master Series, where he secured a second overall finish, followed by the ACI Italian Championship 60 Mini Class, where he finished the series fourth out of 69 drivers.

As the latest talent to join the Williams Racing Driver Academy, Lucas will receive training and guidance to develop his skills and support his progression in the junior categories of motorsport.

“It’s a dream come true to be part of the Williams Racing family,” shared Lucas.

“I have always loved racing since I first started karting. That’s why it’s great to be part of this team.

“Now I can’t wait to get started with James Vowles, Sven Smeets and everyone at Grove!”

He joins a growing circle of stars of the future in whom Williams is investing through the Williams Racing Driver Academy, continuing a proud tradition of enabling young talent to enter Formula 1, most recently Academy junior Franco Colapinto was promoted to a Formula 1 racing position.

The Driver Academy supports drivers at every rung of the motorsport ladder, working with them on and off the track to develop the skills required to race at the highest level.

Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, also commented: “We are very pleased to announce that Lucas has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

“He is an exciting young talent who has shown promise in his early years in karting and has made rapid progress for his age.

“We look forward to supporting Lucas as he continues to develop throughout his karting career.”

It is part of Williams’ commitment to opening up access to motorsports, including the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy, which was recently launched to discover and nurture the brightest and best young engineering talent around the world.

We are also inspiring the next generation through our free schools program, which will welcome 5,000 8-15 year olds to our Grove headquarters this year to introduce them to STEM careers through a motorsports perspective.