Zak O’Sullivan will make his first F1 appearance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix throughout Free Observe 1 (FP1).
The rookie driver will change Alex Albon in the course of the session, earlier than collaborating within the post-season Younger Driver Take a look at with fellow Williams Driver Academy member Franco Colapinto.
Learn extra: How O’Sullivan F1 practice run shows Williams on right track with young drivers
The information got here simply days after it was introduced that O’Sullivan could be driving in Formula 2 in 2024.
In 2023, F1 rules have meant that it’s obligatory for groups to finish a pair of FP1 outings with drivers who’ve accomplished lower than two grands prix. Every System 1 driver is obliged to surrender their seat as soon as a season to make sure that this will happen.
Williams have already accomplished one in all their FP1 rookie drives, when Logan Sargeant made his System 1 debut in Bahrain. As a result of the driving force had not accomplished two grands prix, this meant the crew had fulfilled one of many two obligatory classes.
O’Sullivan mentioned: “I’m actually excited to take part in FP1 at Abu Dhabi.
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the FW45 for the primary time, and get some good mileage underneath my belt.
“Along with that, I’m returning to the automobile for the post-season rookie take a look at to additional my growth with the crew. Enormous because of Williams Racing for the chance and for placing their religion in me to drive the 2023 automobile.”
Who’s Zak O’Sullivan?
Picture by: System Motorsport Ltd
Zak O’Sullivan, Prema Racing
Zak O’Sullivan is a British racing driver of Irish descent and grew up in Cheltenham. The driving force started his profession in karting on the age of eight and has labored his means by the motorsport ladder to his F2 seat.
O’Sullivan was given the nickname ‘Rain Man’ for his velocity within the moist throughout his debut 12 months of karting throughout Europe. He has been a Williams Racing Academy driver since 2022 and participates in simulator work for the crew.
How {old} is Zak O’Sullivan?
Zak O’Sullivan was born on 6 February 2005, making him 18-years-old.
What has occurred in Zak O’Sullivan’s motorsport profession?
Picture by: System Motorsport Ltd
Zak O’Sullivan, Prema Racing
Zak O’Sullivan started karting on the age of eight and received three out of his first 5 races. In 2014, the driving force started racing competitively and took his first championship on the age of 11.
His victory made him one of many youngest drivers to ever win the British Tremendous One Rookie Championship and he later additionally secured the British GP Kartmasters Championship.
O’Sullivan made his F4 British Championship debut in 2020 earlier than competing within the GB3 Championship for 2021, the place he was topped champion.
He additionally received the 2021 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Younger Driver of the Yr Award, collaborating in his first F1 take a look at as a part of his prize.
In 2022, O’Sullivan was additionally introduced to be becoming a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy earlier than making his System 3 debut with Carlin, scoring two podiums and taking pole place for his residence race at Silverstone.
He moved to Prema Racing for 2023, ending as runner-up within the standings behind Gabriel Bortoleto. O’Sullivan took probably the most wins of any driver – 4 – with 5 podiums and one pole place.
He’ll graduate to F2 in 2024 with ART Grand Prix, who at the moment lead the groups’ championship with one spherical remaining.