Italian F4 Champion Kean Nakamura-Berta joins the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy
The Japanese-Slovak driver will challenge for the Formula Regional Middle East and Formula Regional European championships in 2026
Published
09 JAN 2026
Est. reading time
2 min
Atlassian Williams F1 Team is pleased to welcome reigning Italian F4 Champion Kean Nakamura-Berta to the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy.
The Japanese-Slovak driver has already demonstrated consistency and speed throughout his early career, with multiple karting titles to his name. Kean made his karting debut at 7 years old, quickly going on to compete in international karting and securing both the 2021 CIK-FIA OKJ World Championship and the 2022 CIK-FIA OK European Championship.
Graduating to single seaters at the end of 2023 in the F4 South East Asia Championship, Kean had an impressive debut campaign securing two pole positions and a podium, further adding to this with two race wins and six further podiums in the 2024 Formula UAE Championship.
2025 was a breakout year for Kean as he secured the Italian F4 Championship with nine wins and multiple podiums across the season. The rising star will challenge for the Formula Regional Middle East and Formula Regional European championships in 2026.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy this year,” Kean shared following the announcement.
“It’s a team that has achieved so much and has a vast history, and I’m proud to be part of it. Racing in Formula Regional will be a new challenge but one that I’m especially looking forward to.
“Thank you to everyone at Williams for believing in me, and I can’t wait to start this new chapter!”
It’s a team that has achieved so much and has a vast history, and I’m proud to be part of it.
– Kean Nakamura-Berta
As part of the Academy, Kean will have the team’s full support and guidance in nurturing his talent and developing his skills throughout his progression in the junior categories of motorsport.
The Academy supports drivers on every rung of the motorsport ladder, working with them on and off the track to develop the skills necessary to race at the top level. The Academy has a proud tradition of supporting young talent, which has most recently seen Academy alumnus Franco Colapinto graduate to an F1 race seat.
Sven Smeets, Sporting Director at Atlassian Williams F1 Team, commented: “We’re thrilled to have Kean join the Williams F1 Team Driver Academy at this key moment in his career.
“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 and will watch keenly as he hits the track.”
A new look for the team in Formula 1’s all-new regulations era will be unveiled on Tuesday 3 February
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