Zak O’Sullivan and Ollie Bearman had very different rookie Formula 3 seasons in 2022.
The British pair both entered their maiden campaigns as reigning champions – O’Sullivan of GB3 and Bearman of both Italian and German F4. And while O’Sullivan stayed with Carlin for his step up, Bearman, as a new recruit to the Ferrari Driver Academy, headed straight for the top with junior series powerhouse Prema.
Look behind the differing results, and it’s clear both put in seriously impressive seasons. O’Sullivan produced Farnham-based Carlin’s best drivers’ standings result – 11th – of the modern F3 era; Bearman clinched third in the points after a chaotic, controversial season finale at Monza he had entered as a title contender.
This year, the duo both line up at Prema Racing, with O’Sullivan joining the Italian squad for a second shot at F3 and Bearman graduating to Formula 2. Both championships kick off in Bahrain this weekend.
Williams Academy driver O’Sullivan will be one of the most watched drivers in F3 this year, and shoulders high expectations after stepping up to such a prestigious seat. For all Carlin’s massive success in the previous iteration of F3, it has struggled in the category since it
