Motorsport Week
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Motorsport Week
Home Single Seater Formula 1

Williams to hand O’Sullivan F1 practice debut in Abu Dhabi

by Taylor Powling
2 years ago
A A
Williams to hand O’Sullivan F1 practice debut in Abu Dhabi

Race winner Zak O'Sullivan (GBR) Prema Racing celebrates in parc ferme. 02.07.2023. FIA Formula 3 Championship, Rd 6, Feature Race, Spielberg, Austria, Sunday.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Williams have announced that academy prospect Zak O’Sullivan will get his first public outing in a Formula 1 car during first practice at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

O’Sullivan previously drove F1 machinery when he got a run in Aston Martin’s 2021 car at Silverstone after being awarded the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award.

However, that outing didn’t ensure he met the necessary 300km mark “in a representative F1 car consistently at racing speed” to qualify for the FIA’s practice superlicense.

Therefore, Williams arranged for O’Sullivan to accumulate the missing mileage he required in a two-year-old F1 car, paving the way for him to be eligible for the opportunity.

RelatedPosts

Max Verstappen is wary of the threat from McLaren in the US GP Sprint Race

Max Verstappen expects ‘tough battle’ from pole in F1 US GP Sprint

3 hours ago
Max Verstappen took pole position for the F1 US GP Sprint Race

Max Verstappen snatches F1 US GP Sprint pole to deny all-McLaren front row

4 hours ago

It was confirmed yesterday that the Briton will be moving into Formula 2 next season with ART Grand Prix, having finished as runner-up in Formula 3 this season.

The 18-year-old will replace Alex Albon for FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, guaranteeing that Williams complies with the FIA regulation that mandates every race driver in each team has to give up an FP1 session for a rookie driver who has started no more than two grands prix.

But Logan Sargeant, who is currently competing in his maiden F1 campaign, counted towards the criteria when he made an appearance at the season-opener in Bahrain.

O’Sullivan will also participate in the end-of-season Young Driver Test following the conclusion of F1’s Abu Dhabi GP weekend.

“I’m really excited to participate in FP1 at Abu Dhabi,” O’Sullivan said. “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.”

Franco Colapinto (ARG) MP Motorsport celebrates his third position on the podium. 23.07.2023. FIA Formula 3 Championship, Rd 8, Feature Race, Budapest, Hungary, Sunday

Meanwhile, fellow Williams junior member Franco Colapinto will conduct his debut run in an F1 car alongside O’Sullivan in the post-season test.

The Argentine classified fourth in F3 and will make the transition into F2 in Abu Dhabi this year ahead of a full-time season in the series with MP Motorsport next season.

“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,” Colapinto expressed.

“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.”

Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets added: “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.”

Tags: AbuDhabiGPColapintoF1WilliamsZak O'Sullivan
Share201Tweet126Share

Related Posts

Max Verstappen is wary of the threat from McLaren in the US GP Sprint Race
Formula 1

Max Verstappen expects ‘tough battle’ from pole in F1 US GP Sprint

3 hours ago
Max Verstappen took pole position for the F1 US GP Sprint Race
Formula 1

Max Verstappen snatches F1 US GP Sprint pole to deny all-McLaren front row

4 hours ago
Haas endured a double SQ1 elimination on home soil in Austin
Formula 1

F1 2025 United States Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying Results

4 hours ago
Load More

Discussion about this post

Upcoming Races

#EventDate
18Singapore GP03-05 October
19United States GP17-19 October
20Mexico City GP24-26 October
21São Paulo GP07-09 November
22Las Vegas GP20-22 November

Click here for the full 2025 F1 calendar

Drivers’  Standings

#DriverPts
Oscar Piastri324
Lando Norris299
Max Verstappen255
George Russell212
Charles Leclerc165
Lewis Hamilton121
Andrea Kimi Antonelli78
Alexander Albon70
Isack Hadjar39
Nico Hulkenberg37

Click here for full Drivers’ Standings

Latest Articles

Max Verstappen is wary of the threat from McLaren in the US GP Sprint Race
Formula 1

Max Verstappen expects ‘tough battle’ from pole in F1 US GP Sprint

October 17, 2025
Max Verstappen took pole position for the F1 US GP Sprint Race
Formula 1

Max Verstappen snatches F1 US GP Sprint pole to deny all-McLaren front row

October 17, 2025
Haas endured a double SQ1 elimination on home soil in Austin
Formula 1

F1 2025 United States Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying Results

October 17, 2025

Follow Motorsport Week

Join our daily motorsport newsletter

* indicates required

Motorsport Week

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Other Links

  • About & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Motorsport Monday

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Formula 1
    • Latest News
    • 2025 F1 Calendar
    • 2025 F1 Championship Standings
  • Formula E
    • Latest News
    • 2025 FE Calendar
    • 2025 FE Championship Standings
  • MotoGP
    • Latest News
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • WRC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
    • 2025 WRC Standings
  • IndyCar
    • Latest News
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WEC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • Live Updates
  • Other
    • IMSA
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • Galleries
  • About/Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd