The British talent born in 2005 will not complete his Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix due to financial issues; however, Zak O’Sullivan will continue to be a driver in the Williams Racing Academy.
On the day Gabriele Minì was announced to make the jump from Formula 3 to Formula 2 to replace Ollie Bearman with PREMA, another name has shaken up the Formula 2 circus: Zak O’Sullivan has announced the end of his journey in the junior category due to funding issues. The former ART Grand Prix driver was in 13th place in the drivers’ standings.
The announcement was made through a social media post, in which the British driver thanked the Formula 2 team and Williams Racing: “Firstly, I want to thank ART GP and Williams Racing for all of the support they have given me. This year we have had some incredible moments, multiple wins and a big highlight of winning the feature race in Monaco. Unfortunately in our sport, there are more factors at play than just the stopwatch. The simple issue comes down to funding, I won’t be able to complete this F2 season with ART GP.“.
“I’m gutted to not be able to show my talents for the rest of the year, but I want to say thank you to all of my sponsors, Williams Racing and all of the supporters who are alongside me during this journey. Your support has been invaluable and I can’t wait to be able to drive for you and with you again soon” Zak O’Sullivan wrote specifying his presence in the Williams Academy.
Not only O’Sullivan: Stanek is also ending his F2 season.
Zak O’Sullivan won’t be the only F2 driver missing the rest of the season; the Trident team has announced that “by mutual agreement, the collaboration with Roman Stanek has come to an end.” Roman Stanek’s future was already uncertain during the event at the Temple of Speed two weeks ago: “We only have a contract for 11 races, so it looks like I won’t be racing after Monza,” said the now-former Trident driver.
The Czech driver will be replaced by Christian Mansell, who will make the jump from F3 to F2 for the remainder of the season starting from the weekend in Baku: “I can’t wait to make my debut in FIA Formula 2 with Trident Motorsport. I am extremely excited to race with this Italian team on the streets of Baku and at the two subsequent events before the end of the season. It will be a fiery debut on a challenging track like the one in Azerbaijan, but I have to confess that I am more excited than nervous.”
Meanwhile, team manager Giacomo Ricci added a few words praising the Australian and showing enthusiasm for the remaining weekends: “We are extremely pleased to field Australian driver Christian Mansell in the next three rounds of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. I consider him one of the most talented emerging drivers we have seen this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, where he was in contention for the title until the final round in Monza. Christian is a complete driver, fast in qualifying and extremely skilled in tire management and overtaking.”
“Making his debut in Baku will certainly be an ambitious goal, not easy at all. We have carried out dedicated preparation work with him, and I am convinced that it will pay dividends, especially if there will be no interruptions in the free practice session. I am sure there are all the conditions to do well.”
Photo: Zak O’Sullivan, Trident Team