Williams Racing Academy Driver Zak O’Sullivan will participate in the primary Free Practice session on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, taking on the car of Alexander Albon
With groups required to run a driver, who has began two or fewer Grands Prix, in every of their automobiles throughout the season, a number of outfits have chosen final weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix and the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix because the venue the place their junior drivers get to drive their automobiles.
Williams wanted to run a younger driver in solely Alex Albon’s car as rookie driver Logan Sargeant fulfilled the requirement on the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. The Grove-based outfit has now confirmed that Zak O’Sullivan will get behind the wheel of Albon’s FW45 at Yas Marina Circuit for the hour session.
The 2023 Formula 3 Vice Champion may also participate in this yr’s end-of-season Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi, sharing driving duties throughout the course of the day with fellow Academy driver Franco Colapinto. The Argentinian driver will get his first style of a Formula 1 car in the course of the check following his debut in Formula 2 with MP Motorsport in the ultimate race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Commenting on the staff’s plan, Sporting Director Sven Smeets stated: “Both Zak and Franco have had spectacular seasons in Formula 3 and we’re now wanting ahead to giving them the chance to drive the FW45 in Abu Dhabi to support their improvement as a part of their roles in the Williams Racing Driver Academy.
“The pair have demonstrated a excessive degree of understanding and maturity throughout their simulator work performed at Grove. I do know they will each be working exhausting in preparation for this expertise and can profit from it.”
After profitable seasons in Formula 3, in which O’Sullivan and Colapinto tied the all-time file for many wins in the championship (4), each Academy drivers might be stepping up into Formula 2 for 2024 with the Briton competing for ART Grand Prix and the Argentinian driver with MP Motorsport.
What desires are fabricated from for our Academy duo! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/T4edZ9ms29
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) November 1, 2023
O’Sullivan’s 2023 season included 4 victories with two Feature Race wins and two Sprint wins, together with one pole place and an extra podium end, ensuing in second place in the Championship. The British driver joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in 2022 and has most notably gained the celebrated Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.
O’Sullivan commented: “I’m really excited to participate in FP1 at Abu Dhabi. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the FW45 for the first time and get some good mileage under my belt. In addition to that, I’m returning to the car for the post-season rookie test to further my development with the team. Huge thanks to Williams Racing for the opportunity and for putting their faith in me to drive the 2023 car.”
Colapinto’s second season in F3 noticed him end fourth in the motive force standings after claiming two Sprint victories and a complete of 5 podium finishes. Franco has been part of the Driver Academy because the begin of 2023 and has spectacular credentials, together with his most notable achievements together with turning into the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year and successful the 2019 Spanish Formula 4 Championship.
“I am extremely grateful to Williams Racing for giving me the opportunity to drive an F1 car in only my first year in the Academy,” added Colapinto. “I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid and have been working really hard for this. To have this chance at the official young driver test is a real honour. Thank you to the team for entrusting me with the FW45. Being part of the Academy this year has opened my eyes in so many different areas and I feel ready to make this step. I can’t wait.”
