Cheltenham's teenage Formula 1 hopeful signs career-defining deal to race in Japan

Gloucestershire's homegrown championship driver, teenager Zak O'Sullivan from Cheltenham, has signed a new deal to race in Japan this year at what is described as the 'pinnacle of motorsport in Asia'.

By Sarah Kent  |  Published
Cheltenham's Zak O'Sullivan is racing in Japan at the Super Formula Championship 2025.

After ending his Formula Two season early last year due to 'funding issues', 19-year-old Zak O'Sullivan has signed a career-defining deal with the Kondo Racing team to drive in the upcoming Super Formula series in Japan.

This exciting move sees Zak, from Witherington near Cheltenham, join a 13-strong team of Toyota racing drivers in the Asian championship.

The Super Formula Championship is considered the 'pinnacle of motorsport in Asia' and showcases up-and-coming drivers as well long-standing champion drivers who compete on circuits such as Suzuka, Fuji and Motegi.

Super Formula cars lap between Formula Two and Formula One speeds and the championship is the second fastest racing series in the world, after Formula One.

Zak, who was crowned Aston Martin BRDC Young Driver of the Year in 2021, GB3 champion in 2021 and Formula Three vice-champion in 2023, said: 'This is a move I’m incredibly excited about. It’s a lifeline for my career and way more than I expected for this year after such a challenging 2024.

'It is going to be a big change for me, getting used to racing in a new country with a different culture, against a grid of drivers who are very experienced in these cars.

'However, it’s a route often taken by drivers following F2 and I have every confidence I can get up to speed quickly and show my worth.'

Zak has also signed with Envision Racing, a Silverstone-based team owned by the energy company, Envision Group. The group is one of the founders of Formula E — a racing championship using only electric vehicles.

Zak will be a simulator driver for Envision and also take part in the series’ rookie free practice at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in February 2025. This practice session will see Zak try the cutting-edge new Gen3 Evo race cars in a track test exclusively for series rookies.

To catch Zak live on television, the Super Formula Championship 2025 starts at Suzuka on Friday 7 March 2025 and is available to watch on Motorsport TV and Apple TV.

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