Junior categories of motorsport can be a cruel place at times, and this was evidenced recently by a talent dropping out of Formula 2.
The series, which is considered to be the final step before Formula 1, is notoriously expensive for drivers to simply compete in.
Driving in Formula 2 for a couple of seasons – as many drivers tend to do – can cost up to millions per season. Even if drivers are part of a driver academy, they are expected to fund most, if not all the money required to get a seat.
Unsurprisingly, many drivers fall victim to funding issues and are subsequently unable to compete.
Heading into round 12 of the championship, it was announced that Zak O’Sullivan would be forced to pull out of F2 for that exact reason.
Oliver Bearman reacts to Zak O’Sullivan losing his Formula 2 drive
The 19-year-old, who is part of the Williams Academy, had been driving with ART Grand Prix in his debut F2 campaign in 2024.
O’Sullivan won the Feature Race in Monaco and the Sprint Race at Spa and was 13th in the standings heading into Baku. But now, due to a problem with funds, the Brit has had to pull out of the championship and has been replaced by Formula 3 driver Luke Browning.
Several F2 drivers shared support to O’Sullivan on social media, and speaking at the F1 driver press conference in Baku, Oliver Bearman gave his reaction to the situation.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s sad, he’s a really talented driver and I think he was going in a really good way,” he said.
“His team was struggling a little bit, so I think compared to his team-mate, he was performing really well as a rookie, and a situation like that when you can’t finish the season due to funding, it’s not easy.
“The budgets are getting higher and higher pretty much every year in the feeder series. And yeah, without the help of my sponsors and partners, I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did. My car is completely full in F2 and it’s thanks to that that I’m able to compete.
“It’s tough because, you have to fund it yourself and find the backing. And without that, you can’t show your talent.”
READ MORE: Luke Browning shares three-word message after his promotion to Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix
The 2024 Formula 2 title is set to go down to the wire
O’Sullivan’s replacement Browning will get his first taste of F2 machinery at Baku as the championship nears its conclusion.
Isack Hadjar leads the championship by 10.5 points over Gabriel Bortoleto after the Brazilian produced a stunning drive in the Monza Feature Race to win from last and close the gap.
The former has won more races than any other driver this season, grabbing four Feature Race wins, putting Hadjar one away from equalling Charles Leclerc’s record.
With just three rounds to go, it is shaping up to be an intense finish to the F2 campaign.