Junior formulae can be one of the most brutal spaces in motorsport, as Zak O’Sullivan recently found out when losing his Formula 2 drive.
The 2024 race winner was dropped at ART Grand Prix for the remainder of the season, despite having won two races this season.
Luke Browning was promoted from Formula 3 to take his place and scored a seventh-place finish on debut at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old is yet to confirm what he will do next, but he will be hoping that there is another opening on the grid for him in 2025.
Zak O’Sullivan lost Formula 2 drive after failing to ‘maintain’ commitments
O’Sullivan has showcased his talent in 2024, but somewhere along the line was unable to reach what was expected from him off the track.
It’s a shame that the reality of the situation is that funding comes over talent, but the Brit has the talent to find another drive if he made it this far into his career already.
His boss – James Vowles, told The Fast and the Curious podcast of how difficult it was to see him lose his drive.
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“In the case of Zak, we supported him as much as we could do. Certainly through Formula 3 and again this year in Formula 2.
“There were commitments that unfortunately he just couldn’t maintain from his side. It’s not something I ever want to see.
“It’s heart-breaking actually, because you want something to end because there’s been a natural end to it, either performance or otherwise. In this particular circumstance, it’s not that way at all.”
Is Luke Browning a good replacement for O’Sullivan?
Having finished third in Formula 3, Browning comes well qualified for an opportunity with a great Formula 2 team like ART.
The young Brit claimed two Feature Race victories and knows what it takes to win, earning him a chance to prove his credentials for a 2025 drive.
Presuming that he does compete full-time next year, having an extra three races to learn about the machinery could be vital to him.
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The extra knowledge he will gain over his fellow graduates could mean that he starts the season slightly ahead of them, and with a better feel for the tricky tyres.
The Pirelli rubber is one of the most notoriously difficult aspects of the series, so Browning has a great opportunity at both Qatar and Abu Dhabi to push on with his learning.