Zak O’sullivan

Becoming the 2021 Aston

Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year capped a remarkable few days for Zak O’sullivan. Last week he was announced as a Williams Racing Academy driver and confirmed his FIA Formula 3 campaign with Carlin. Last Sunday he won £200,000, a test in an Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 car, full British Racing Drivers’ Club membership and an Arai helmet. Oh, and it was his 17th birthday.

But, just as at the Silverstone tests in Motorsport Vision Formula 2, Garage 59 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and BBM Sport Ginetta LMP3 machinery, the GB3 champion remained calm throughout.

“I was trying to keep expectations low, but across the night the nerves build up,” he said. “I had a good idea I thought I’d been quite fast, especially in the F2 ‘race’ run. I really enjoyed the three cars and spending time with the judges.

“I’m really looking forward to the F1 test. Hopefully after a year in F3 my neck will hold up!”

O’sullivan believes the MSV F2 will help his step up. “I think the F2 does the same lap times to F3 and is pretty similar,” he added. “With the old F3 car, now used in Euroformula, it was about corner speed, but the current F3 is more about getting it stopped, turned and getting on the power. Although the MSV F2 car is quite old, it’s surprisingly relevant.”

“I’m really looking forward to the F1 test. Hopefully after a year in F3 my neck will hold up!”