Written by Tom Evans, Edited by Morgan Holiday
Who is this guy?
Name: Zak O'Sullivan
Nationality: British
Age: 17
Date of birth: February 6th, 2005
Early career
O’Sullivan started his Motorsport career in 2015 in the LGM Karting Series (cadet). He participated in four different series that year, plunging himself into the world of motorsport. A sixth place finish in the BNL Karting Series (Rotax Micro) clearly showed he had some promise in his first year.
He continued in karting for a further three years, cementing himself as a credible talent with a plethora of fist, second and third placed championship finishes throughout that time. The clear highlight was his first place overall finish in the MSA Kartmasters British Grand Prix (IAME Cadet). After a venture into Germany for some further kart racing, he took up the step into cars.
The big jump
In 2019, O’Sullivan jumped into a race car for the first time, in the form of the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship with Douglas Motorsport. Whilst quite a modest car in terms of power, they help a young driver learn the ropes of car racing with their brilliant handling. In his rookie season he claimed a second place finish, with three wins and 11 podiums. His race pace was definitely his strong point during this year.
Single seaters
Instead of moving up to Ginetta GT5 or the G40 cup the following year, O’Sullivan entered the British F4 championship with Carlin for 2020. An unusual change in machinery but one we have seen some drivers, like Lando Norris, take. How did he do? Well he smashed it, with 18 podiums and nine wins in his rookie year. He only just lost out on the title in the final round to second year returnee Luke Browning. This guy was the real deal, and signed up again with Carlin for the following year.
The next step
But not in F4! In 2021, O’Sullivan took the logical step of moving up to the British F3 championship (Now GB3). His season wasn't really full of domination, more like annihilation. With five poles, 14 podiums and seven wins finishing the season on 545 points. A convincingly impressive achievement.
Formula 1?
This year O’Sullivan won the BRDC Aston Martin autosport award, securing him £100,000 in sponsorship money. As well as that, Zak was announced as a Williams Driver Academy member, and announced to be racing with Carlin in the FIA Formula 3 championship. Two crucial steps on the way to Formula 1, and I genuinely believe he could go all the way.
O’Sullivan has just secured a P12 grid position for the first feature race of the Formula 3 season, and pole position for the sprint race with a struggling Carlin team. If he can keep this form up, we could see some serious points from this guy.
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