04 Jun 2024
Last weekend marked a monumental moment in motorsport history: FPZERO brand ambassador and Williams Academy driver Zak O'Sullivan secured a dramatic victory at an action-packed Formula 2 feature race at the iconic Monaco circuit.
Not only was this O’Sullivan’s first F2 victory, but his win completely flipped the script. Starting from 15th on the grid, Zak emerged victorious and clinched the win from Isack Hadjar thanks to expert strategy, a late virtual safety car, and a perfectly timed pit stop.
This incredible achievement highlights Zak’s exceptional skills and the critical role FPZERO’s racing simulators play in preparing F2 drivers for the world's most challenging circuits.
Zak O’Sullivan’s Dramatic Win: From P15 to Victory
Zak O’Sullivan’s F2 win was nothing short of extraordinary. Starting in 15th position, the odds of clinching a victory seemed stacked against him. But, recognising the slim chances of a win, ART Grand Prix decided to take a gamble: they delayed Zak O’Sullivan’s tyre change until lap 40 of 42, hoping for the deployment of a virtual safety car (VSC).
Unbelievably, their master strategy worked. With just three laps remaining, Joshua Duerksen took his final pit stop. However, his exit led to a collision with Zane Maloney, bringing Duerksen to a complete halt on the grid. This triggered ART’s hoped-for VSC, forcing all drivers to slow down.
Meanwhile, Zak—who’d been flying around the track doing qualifying laps on his single-tyre set—was called into the pits seconds before the VSC was deployed. This perfectly timed stop, combined with his fast pace, secured O’Sullivan’s win. Upon exiting, the William’s Academy driver leapfroged to the front ahead of race leader Isack Hadjar.
Zak held his position for the final laps, racing to his first victory in Formula 2 as an Academy Driver. In an interview with Williams Academy, he expressed his excitement for his win. “I couldn’t believe it, to be honest,” he said. “It was a very, very cool experience and one I’m sure I’ll never forget.”
The Power of Racing Simulator Training
At FPZERO, we're incredibly proud of Zak O’Sullivan’s latest achievement. Here is a closer look at how our bespoke racing simulators helped the Formula 2 driver prepare for his unforgettable win.
Unmatched Preparation on a Unique Circuit
Monaco's unforgiving streets are notorious for their narrow, twisty layout and minimal overtaking opportunities. Compared to classic F1 race circuits, such as Silverstone and Autodromo Nazionale Di Monza, Monaco’s street circuit is unique—hence its legendary status.
The track is also only used twice yearly for Formula E and F1 or Historic F1 and F1 events. This limited availability means drivers can’t practice on the actual track year-round. If drivers cannot practice perfecting tight bends and speeding down the narrow track in real life, racing simulator rigs like ours offer the next best option.
Zak O’Sullivan’s training on his Pro II Formula Simulator provided a crucial advantage in his F2 win last weekend. His racing sim allowed him to familiarise himself with every inch of the circuit, perfect his racing lines, and prepare for the unique challenges he faced on race day.
Strategic Planning and Execution
Overtaking in Monaco is notoriously tricky due to its tight, twisty layout. In fact, an overtake at the Monaco Grand Prix is a rarity. But starting in position 15 on the grid, Zak O’Sullivan had no choice. He needed to overtake if he had any hope of securing a first-place finish.
Just as our simulators enable drivers to familiarise themselves with the track, they also provide the opportunity to experiment with different strategies, learn how to execute overtakes even in the trickiest corners, and practice race scenarios. Zak used his Pro II Racing Simulator to plan his moves meticulously and improve his chances of racing ahead of the competition.
This preparation was vital to Zak’s ability to zoom past other F2 drivers. With Zak’s racing sim, he explored the intricacies of Monaco's challenging corners, learning how to tackle tight bends and execute daring passes with precision and confidence—ultimately helping him seize his win.
Mastering Tyre Management
Racing simulator rigs aren't just tools for track practice—they're dynamic platforms for tyre testing and experimentation. Driving around the virtual track, Formula 2 drivers like Zak can develop their tyre management skills, exploring different strategies to optimise performance and minimise degradation.
This training was critical during the action-packed Monaco weekend. For the decision to race on a single tyre set until lap 40 to pay off, Zak’s tyre management proved needed to be perfect. His simulator preparation allowed him to conserve tyre life until the end of the race, strategically positioning himself for a decisive advantage in the closing stages.
This strategic gamble—informed by data-driven simulations and tyre testing—was the winning formula that propelled Zak to victory. It highlights how drivers can use racing simulators to turn strategic insights into tangible success and low-chance wins into victories.
Precision and Consistency
Most motorsports race tracks have run-off areas, but not Monaco; Monaco’s iconic street circuit leaves no room for error. Hurling down the unforgiving roads and around tight corners, drivers must be millimetre precise and consistent throughout the race, lap after lap.
Our racing simulators replicate these conditions, helping drivers like Zak O’Sullivan hone their precision and maintain high levels of consistency. Utilising laser-scanning technology, the virtual tracks on all FPZERO simulators are exact copies of their real-life counterparts. It reproduces every curve, every camber, and every imperfection with millimetre-perfect accuracy.
High precision ensures drivers can practice perfecting their moves in a hypZer-realistic virtual environment. This training ensures they can perform flawlessly under pressure, as Zak demonstrated in his impeccable drive to victory.
Quick Adaptation and Performance
At Monaco, every fraction of a second counts. With its tight and twisty layout, drivers must be on top of their game from the very first lap. Drivers must extract maximum performance from the pits, with no room for warm-up laps or settling into a rhythm.
Thus, single-lap performance is critical; drivers need to be “straight on it” from the moment they hit the track. Through immersive simulation training, professionals like Zak O'Sullivan can familiarise themselves with the nuances of the track, perfect their racing lines, and fine-tune their driving techniques—all before they even set foot on the tarmac.
In other words, simulator training helps drivers quickly get up to speed and deliver peak performance from the get-go. Zak’s ability to adapt and perform immediately out of the pits in his last-minute takeover was a tribute to the effectiveness of his driver simulation training.
FPZERO: Driving Success Through Racing Simulation
Zak O'Sullivan's remarkable F2 win at Monaco is an example of how our racing simulator cockpits are integral to racing success. By providing realistic, immersive training environments, we help drivers refine their skills, develop race strategies, and achieve their goals on the grid.
“I've been using the FPZERO Pro Simulator for my training away from the track,” said Zak. “Having started with a Pro I and now using a Pro II, I can attest to the value they've added to get me to where I am in my career. The support and expertise received with any hardware issues has been essential as the simulator plays a valuable part of my training schedule.”
Zak’s is just one of many testimonials from professional drivers who rely on our racing simulator rigs to help them speed forward in their careers. Explore our range of sims to discover how FPZERO can help you achieve your racing goals, or contact us directly to learn more.
Do you want to help support Zak on his journey to Formula 1? Zak is offering the ability to join as a partner for just £500/€600 through his 500:500 Club. Find out more here
