After both enjoying a solid first year to life in Formula 3, Franco Colapinto and Zak O’Sullivan have received further recognition.

The Williams Racing Driver Academy pair have been named in Formula 1’s ‘20 of the most exciting up-and-coming talents on the road to F1’ list.

, Franco and Zak’s efforts in the 2022 campaign have not gone unnoticed.

The 19-year-old Argentinian took pole on debut and celebrated two victories across the nine rounds, whilst his 17-year-old British colleague secured a memorable pole at his home race in Silverstone, as well as adding two podiums to his name.

In 2023, Franco will line-up for MP Motorsport and Zak will race for Prema with both aiming to build upon their rookie F3 season.

You can follow their efforts right here throughout the season, so make sure you’ve signed up and downloaded the app to stay fully up to date.

Sign Up

Customise your very-own Driver Card! Pick your own helmet and number to display your Williams Racing fandom to the world!

Make it yours

Williams

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 Euro cup with MP Motorsport, taking two race wins and nine podiums to finish third in the championship 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, Franco joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy Programme and went on to compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. He had a successful sophomore season, securing two sprint race wins at Silverstone and Monza, and finished the season taking fourth place in the standings.

In October 2023, it was announced that Franco would be graduating to FIA Formula 2 in 2024 with MP Motorsport. Franco made his F2 debut with the team at the final round of the 2023 season in Abu Dhabi, performing well in preparation for the next stage in his career as part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

From the 2024 Italian Grand Prix until the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season, Franco will race with Williams. He becomes the 49th Grand Prix driver for Williams Racing*, is the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years and the second Argentine to drive for the British outfit, following his countryman Carlos Reutemann.

2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship, MP Motorsport

2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship, MP Motorsport, 4th overall: 2 wins, 5 podiums

2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship, Van Amersfoort Racing

More from Franco Colapinto

Franco Colapinto

Zak began karting at the age of nine. Two years later, in 2016, Zak 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 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 19 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 six wins and 13 podium finishes. With 18 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.

In 2021, Zak was selected as a finalist for the renowned Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award (AMABA), which he was later crowned the winner of for 2021.

In 2022, Zak completed his first rookie season in the FIA F3 Championship with Carlin, impressing with several strong performances, including pole position and a podium in front of home crowds at the British GP. In the same year, Zak was announced as a Williams Racing Academy Driver, joining Williams ahead of the new season.

In 2023, Zak joined PREMA Racing for the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship. He had a stellar year, achieving 4 wins, 1 pole, and 5 podiums. Closing the season as runner-up, Zak secured the most race wins of any driver in the championship.

Zak graduated to FIA Formula 2 for the 2024 season, going on to win two feature races at Monaco and Spa. His season with ART Grand Prix ended prematurely following the Monza race weekend, however he will continue within the Williams Racing Driver Academy, further developing his skills and preparing for the next step in his motorsport career.

More from Zak O'Sullivan

Zak O’Sullivan

Franco Colapinto and Zak O'Sullivan are recognised in list of next generation talents

Williams Racing Driver Academy duo named in F1’s 20 to watch

Franco and Zak are recognised in list of next generation talents

Academy duo named in F1’s 20 to watch

Franco and Zak are recognised in list of next generation talents

Related Tags: