Williams Racing Academy Driver Zak O’Sullivan will take part in the first Free Practice session at the 2023 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 2023 Formula 3 Vice Champion will get behind the wheel of Alex Albon’s FW45 at Yas Marina Circuit for the hour session. Zak’s outing, his first in the FW45, fulfils the team’s second and final mandated rookie driver session this season.
Zak will also take part in this year’s end-of-season Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi, sharing driving duties across the course of the day with fellow Academy driver Franco Colapinto.
After successful seasons in Formula 3, in which Zak tied for most wins in the championship (4), the Academy driver will be stepping up into Formula 2 for 2024 with ART Grand Prix.
Zak’s 2023 season included four victories with two Feature Race wins and two Sprint wins, along with one pole position and a further podium finish, resulting in second place in the Championship. The British driver joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in 2022 and has most notably won the prestigious Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.
Williams Racing Formula 1 drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant will split driving duties in the FW45 as part of the end of season testing in Abu Dhabi.
Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, Williams Racing: Both Zak and Franco have had impressive seasons in Formula 3 and we’re now looking forward to giving them the opportunity to drive the FW45 in Abu Dhabi to aid their development as part of their roles in the Williams Racing Driver Academy. The pair have demonstrated a high level of understanding and maturity during their simulator work conducted at Grove. I know they’ll both be working hard in preparation for this experience and will make the most of it.
Zak O’Sullivan: “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.”