Carlin confirmed that 2021 GB3 Champion Zak O’Sullivan will graduate to Formula 3 with the team this season.
The newly announced Williams Racing Academy driver has already spent two successful years with Carlin and has enjoyed a stellar junior career. The step up the motorsport ladder will see O’Sullivan take on the challenges of a new car, a whole host of new tracks and the excitement of being on the Formula One support package.
16 -year-old O’Sullivan’s career to date has already seen him impress on the British stage despite his young age. A brilliant debut season in the F4 British Championship saw him end 2020 as vice-champion, with nine wins to his name, before graduating to the GB3 Championship (previously British Formula Three) in 2021.
It was here that he really showed his future potential; clinching a notable seven victories on his way to championship honours – taking the title with a huge 164-point margin over his nearest rival and with races to spare.
O’Sullivan’s strong season saw him selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2021 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. The reigning GB3 Champion was one of four drivers to participate in gruelling fitness, simulator and on-track assessments with the winner of the delayed 2021 Award being announced this Sunday at the Autosport Awards in London.
As part of his prize as GB3 Champion, O’Sullivan has taken part in FIA Formula 3 post-season testing with Carlin so has already had the opportunity to get himself up to speed in the Dallara chassis. He will next be behind the wheel in early March, when official pre-season testing gets underway in Bahrain, before the nine-round, 18-race, season begins two weeks later at the same circuit.
O’Sullivan’s appointment to the Williams Racing Driver Academy, announced earlier today, will see the British youngster become part of the prestigious team’s junior programme, taking part in simulator work and car development as he gains invaluable insight into the workings of a Formula 1 team. O’Sullivan will also benefit from the vast resources and expertise of the team as he continues his climb up the motorsport ladder.
O’Sullivan, who is the first of Carlin’s three drivers to be announced, said “I’m so pleased to be continuing my strong relationship with Carlin and stepping up to FIA F3 with them this season. This will be my third year working with the team and I am looking forward to the exciting challenge ahead. Thank you as always to Trevor and the team for their ongoing support in my career.”
Team Principal Trevor Carlin added, “It’s clear that Williams have recognised the same talent and potential in Zak that we have and we’re delighted that he has chosen to stay with the team for the move up to Formula 3. “
“We’ve enjoyed two very successful seasons together so we know exactly how much effort and dedication Zak puts into everything he does. I know that he’s going to be using that same approach this year and we’ll be fighting hard so that together we can deliver.”