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Zak O’Sullivan’s reality check: FIA single-seater pyramid pushes talent off-track, but Super Formula offers new hope

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
January 22, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Zak O’Sullivan’s reality check: FIA single-seater pyramid pushes talent off-track, but Super Formula offers new hope

The road to Formula 1 is a punishing gauntlet of talent, perseverance, and, most critically, money. For Zak O’Sullivan, a rising British star with a glittering resume, the brutal financial demands of the FIA’s single-seater system have forced a detour from his F1 dream.

O’Sullivan, a former Williams junior driver and Formula 3 runner-up, bowed out of the 2024 Formula 2 season with three rounds to go due to funding shortages. Without fanfare, his partnership with Williams ended at the start of 2025, but his racing career did not. Now, the 19-year-old embarks on a fresh chapter in Japan’s Super Formula series, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise cautionary tale of modern motorsport.


The harsh economics of junior racing

Despite a resume featuring the 2021 GB3 Championship, multiple F2 victories, and runner-up finishes in both British F4 and Formula 3, O’Sullivan’s journey through the single-seater pyramid came to a grinding halt. As he explained, even F1 academy backing doesn’t guarantee financial stability.

“I think a lot of people see an F1 team livery on the car and assume the driver’s fully funded… but it’s not the case,” O’Sullivan revealed. “You’re always bringing astronomical amounts of money to the table to get the seats.”

O’Sullivan isn’t alone. Current F1 drivers like Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso have openly criticized the skyrocketing costs of junior racing. Gasly highlighted the staggering $2 million+ price tag for an F2 season, up from half that amount a decade ago.

“Even karting budgets are insane,” Gasly added. “I had talented friends who couldn’t afford to move up after Formula 4.”


A bittersweet exit from F2

O’Sullivan’s 2024 F2 campaign showcased his talent, with wins in Monaco and Belgium. Yet, his ART Grand Prix car struggled compared to previous seasons, and O’Sullivan was unable to finish the season due to funding shortages. His departure underscores a recurring issue: the cost of staying competitive in junior categories often outweighs the rewards.

“Although I didn’t finish the season, I still did the majority of it, which helped my cause for a seat this year,” O’Sullivan noted.

His reflections on the F2 car’s handling were candid:

“It’s not the best race car in the world… Inevitably, some drivers click better with it than others.”


Super Formula: A new chapter

O’Sullivan’s story takes a hopeful turn as he joins Kondo Racing for the 2025 Super Formula season. After testing the car in late 2024, O’Sullivan was impressed by its drivability, power steering, and predictability compared to F2 machinery.

“Super Formula cars feel closer to F1… It’s high downforce, and you can attack more. I’m really excited about being in a car you can race with.”

While the F1 dream remains distant, O’Sullivan is keeping his options open. Whether his future lies in F1, WEC, or Formula E, his focus remains sharp:

“My job is to do as best as I can when I’m in a race car. Super Formula is my main project, but it’s also a bit of a reset in my career.”


A cautionary tale for the FIA ladder

O’Sullivan’s journey highlights the challenges facing junior drivers in today’s motorsport landscape. The FIA single-seater pyramid has become a financial juggernaut, leaving talented drivers behind in its wake. Yet, for O’Sullivan, the path off the road to F1 might offer a more fulfilling route.

The 19-year-old has taken his first step toward redefining success in motorsport—away from the crushing costs and unrealistic expectations of the F1 ladder.

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