Interview with Zak O’ Sullivan: Formula 3, Williams F1 Driver Academy and the Autosport BRDC Award

Photo Credit: James Gasperotti Photography

In The Pits spoke to Formula 3 and Williams F1 Academy driver Zak O’ Sullivan. After winning the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award at the end of last year, the 17-year-old Brit has made a very encouraging start to his debut F3 season, racing with Carlin.

Zak first took up karting when he was nine-years old and began racing competitively in 2014. Having only been racing in single seaters since 2019, O’ Sullivan talks about his ‘quick progression,’ as he ‘did only a year in each,’ of Ginetta Juniors, British F4 and GB3; ‘I really enjoyed the challenge of learning a new car at the start of each season.’ Finishing in second place both in Ginetta Juniors (where he was the highest-placed rookie in the final standings) and British F4, O’ Sullivan took the GB3 title in his debut season by 164 points, making him the youngest winner of the category.

Now racing in Formula 3, he mentions how the cars have ‘a lot more power,’ and how he has had to learn how to use DRS.

Qualifying in Bahrain saw Zak take P12, however the reverse grid meant he started on pole for his debut Formula 3 Sprint Race. A great result, he finished in P6, detailing his drop down the order due to ‘lack of pace,’ but says he ‘was generally happy with our performance in that race,’ and that ‘it’s early days!’ Looking to the season ahead, the Brit says he is most looking forward to Silverstone, as he thinks there will be a ‘brilliant atmosphere,’ and mentions how ‘it’s generally a great track to drive.’

Photo Credit: James Gasperotti Photography

The Carlin driver was awarded the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award for 2021, along with £200,000 and the chance to test in an Aston Martin F1 car. Zak explains how ‘it was such an honour to even make the Top 10 in this award,’ having been up against ‘strong competition,’ Ollie Bearman, Jonny Edgar and Louis Foster. He says, ‘It’s crazy to think of the amazing list of past winners,’ which include the likes of Lando Norris, George Russell and Jenson Button.

Of course, here at In The Pits, we are very much not racing drivers. So, we thought we’d ask Zak what it really feels like to drive a race car! ‘Nowadays it doesn’t feel that unusual to me haha, but I guess if someone had never been in a race car, they’d be pretty amazed at how late we’re able to brake into some corners.’ We hope he feels just as at home when he drives an F1 car in his Aston Martin test!

In February, it was announced that Zak had joined the Williams F1 Driver Academy, which includes drivers such as W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick and Formula 2 driver Logan Sargeant. He describes the opportunity as ‘fantastic,’ before going on to say, ‘Williams Racing is one of the most respected and successful teams in F1, both their success on track but also the drivers they have been involved with.’ O’ Sullivan says he is ‘relishing the opportunity of working on their simulator,’ and is already learning a lot with the team.

Photo Credit: James Gasperotti Photography

Speaking about Formula 1, the 17-year-old mentions how he looks up to Michael Schumacher, with his ‘sole goal to win,’ and ‘the ability he had to build a team around him well.’

We also asked Zak an age-old question, with a twist; If you could invite any three people from motorsport history, dead or alive, to a dinner party, who would you invite and why? ‘I would say Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. All drivers were some of the best from their generations, and all had very different approaches to achieving their success. It would be interesting to see their contrasting thoughts on motorsport as a general topic.’

Formula 3 has 8 rounds left this season, with Round 2 taking place in Imola next weekend. We wish Zak the best of luck for the rest of the season!