Name: WATCH: Zak and Franco's Hungary podium celebrations
Uploaded: 2023-07-23T08:20:25.662Z
Description: Williams Academy drivers Zak O'Sullivan and Franco Colapinto take F3 silverware in Budapest

A fourth win for Zak and a fourth podium trip for Franco have our Academy aces together on the podium after the F3 Feature Race in Hungary.

Williams

Hungary 2023

Practice 1

Practice 2

Practice 3

Qualifying

Race

Zak began karting at the age of eight and just two years later, in 2016, he claimed the rookie championship in British Super One and won the British GP Kartmasters Championship, before moving into European karting in 2017. 

A season in the CIK European OKJ Championship and the WSK European Championship resulted in 10th and 9th places respectively. The British driver demonstrated his progress the following season, bettering his 2017 effort to place 6th overall in the WSK European Championship. In 2018 Zak achieved a 2nd place overall in the OKJ DKM.

In 2019, Zak made a successful debut in the Ginetta Junior Championship, claiming three wins to become Rookie Champion and placing second overall.

The following year, Zak’s maiden season in single seaters saw him finish as vice-champion in the 2020 F4 British Championship. His impressive campaign saw him claim nine wins and 18 podiums, missing out on the title by only four points.

In 2021, Zak entered the GB3 Championship and an extraordinary debut season saw him crowned champion, having secured seven wins and 14 podium finishes. With 20 top ten finishes to his name, Zak’s notable consistency throughout the season saw him win by an impressive margin of 164 points over his nearest championship rival.

Shortly after joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy, Zak was named winner of the BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. The 17-year old claimed the prestigious accolade after impressing in a series of evaluations, which included fitness and simulator elements as well as a two-day test at Silverstone.

Zak made his FIA Formula 3 debut with Carlin in 2022 achieving two podiums and a pole position at his home race to finish 11th in the driver standings. The Williams Racing Academy driver will race for PREMA in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship.

Zak O’Sullivan

Franco Colapinto started karting at the age of nine. He won the Argentinian Championship in 2016 and again in 2018. 

In 2018 Franco begun his European single seat journey, entering the final round of the FIA Spanish F4 season, taking a win and a second place. Franco was scouted by Fernando Alonso's team FA Racing by Drivex, signing him up for the 2019 season.

In 2019, Franco achieved eleven victories, 13 podiums and 10 pole positions, being crowned the Spanish F4 champion. Following this, Franco started his 2020 season by securing his second single seater title after taking the rookie championship win in the 2020 Castrol Toyota Racing Series, adding another race win, a pole position and eight further podium finishes to his tally.

For the second leg of the 2020 season Franco Colapinto returned to Europe to compete in the Formula Renault Eurocup with MP Motorsport, taking two race wins and nine podiums to finish third in thechampionship as the highest ranked rookie.

In 2021, Franco raced in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with MP Motorsport where he achieved two Grand Slams and a further victory and podium finish.

For the 2022 season, Franco moved up to FIA F3 with Van Amersfoort Racing chasing his childhood dream to reach the pinnacle of motor racing, Formula 1. 

The Argentinian immediately made his mark by taking pole position in his first ever FIA F3 Qualifying and went on to win 2 races and 5 podiums in his rookie year.

In January 2023, it was announced that Franco will compete in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship with MP Motorsport, as well as coming onboard as a Williams Academy Driver for the 2023 season.

Franco Colapinto

Williams Academy drivers Zak O'Sullivan and Franco Colapinto take F3 silverware in Budapest

WATCH: Zak and Franco's Hungary podium celebrations

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WATCH: Zak and Franco's Hungary podium celebrations