A new era for Formula E means a brand new lineup for Gen4 for Paysafe Envision Racing. Maximilian Guenther was already announced as one part of their duo ahead of Season 13 and today, Monaco F2 and Super Formula driver Zak O’Sullivan becomes the latest driver to add “full time driver” to their C.V. as he signs with Envision Racing.

Why did Envision make this decision?

Zak has been a very fast driver ever since he debuted. Claiming victories and podiums in debut seasons in his championships put him on many teams radars across his career and Paysafe Envision Racing saw the potential and signined him up early on. Zak has experience with his driver sim role and taking part in the Miami and Madrid rookie tests.

Envision had a tough Season 12 with only podiums and the only team not to win in Season 12 which is a tough blow. Although luck and opportunity became a factor, it doesn’t hide the fact from the fiction.

With Gen4, some teams are going for consistency like Citroen and Andretti while others are going for a fresh start such as Envision. Ultimately, having Max Guenther and Zak O’Sullivan gives the team a chance for a brand new team leader with a strong pedigree in this electric motorsport and brand new talent like Zak for Envision, Pepe Marti for Cupra Kiro and Felipe Drugovich for Andretti.

Zak’s Single Seater History

Zak started his single seater career with a move up to the British F4 championship in 2020. Winning at Donnington Park at his first event and securing a double win and pole in Brand Hatch marked the start of his battle for the titile alongside Luke Browning. He moved up to the BRDC British F3 Championship with Carlin and ,in January 2021, he became the youngest ever BRDC Superstar, a programme whose impressive alumni includes the F1 2019 rookies of George Russell, Alex Albon and reigning world champion Lando Norris.

British F3 (later renamed GB3) saw a dominant season by O’Sullivan in 2021 with 7 wins, 7 additional podiums, most fastest laps and laps led, the Briton was 164 points ahead of his nearest competitor and saw him become the youngest ever GB3 champion. As a prize, he gained a 2 day FIA F3 test in Valencia with Carlin.

2022 was when O’Sullivan became a Williams Racing Academy driver as he got to do sim work and provide feedback alongside joining F3 in 2022 with Carlin. His F3 season saw him get pole position at Silverstone, going from P20 to P4 in 4 laps after a strategy call for soft tyres and a second podium in Zandvoort. This led to him being the highest Carlin driver in the F3 era and claiming P11. 2023 saw Zak join Prema and complete the season as a runner up.

2024 saw Zak join F2 and claim victory in Monaco after a bold call to stay out and wait for a safety car. Ultimately, Zak left the Williams Racing Drivers Academy and F2 midway through 2024 and joins Super Formula in 2025, securing podiums.

How will O’Sullivan do?

Predicting how a driver will do in Formula E is easier said that done. Some drivers underperform, others overform. As for O’Sullivan as a single driver, his talent and speed is undoubtable and along with his experience in Formula E, he should do well. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him be a number 2 driver to Guenther while he learns the ropes to a full season.