Atlassian Williams Racing is pleased to share that Williams Racing Academy Driver Oleksandr Bondarev will be racing in the FIA Italian Formula 4 Championship and E4 Championship with PREMA Racing in 2026, challenging for the Formula 4 title in his second year.
 

The Ukrainian driver competed in his first full season in the championship this year, building upon his learnings to finish the season with a win in Imola and a podium in Misano. His efforts also supported PREMA’s successful campaign as Italian Formula 4 Constructors’ Champion.
 

Bondarev has found success in multiple series, beginning in karting, where he won both the WSK Super Master Series and CIK-FIA European Championship OKJ in 2023. He was welcomed to the Williams Racing Driver Academy the same year, then took home the WSK Champions Cup in 2024. At the end of the 2024 season, Bondarev stepped up into Italian F4 with PREMA, giving him an opportunity to get to grips with single-seater racing.
 

His ascent through the motorsport ladder demonstrates the Williams Racing Driver Academy’s proud tradition of supporting young talent, which has most recently seen Academy product Franco Colapinto graduate to an F1 race seat. The Driver 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. 
 

Oleksandr Bondarev: “I’m very happy to be returning to Italian Formula 4 with PREMA after a positive end to the 2025 season. We’re working well together as a team, constantly improving how we approach a race weekend, and I’m now fully focused on winning the championship in 2026. I’m very grateful to PREMA and Williams for believing in me, and we will work even harder to maximise everything we can next season!”
 

Sven Smeets, Sporting Director: “Oleksandr has made good steps forward this year, building his confidence in the Formula 4 category and maximising his learning on track and in the simulator. The 2026 Italian Formula 4 Championship will give him an opportunity to continue his development, taking key lessons forward from this year to prepare him for a future at the top level of motorsport. We look forward to seeing his growth as he sets his sights on a championship win.”