If a driver does not finish out a season it is typically because their performance has unimpressed team bosses, but Zak O’Sullivan is considered a strong Formula Two driver and is “gutted” to pull out during the campaign.

With three rounds of the F2 championship remaining, as O’Sullivan lies P13 in the standings, the 19-year-old has released a statement confirming that “more factors are at play” and he will not return to his seat.

The Brit, under the Williams Academy umbrella, raced for ART Grand Prix and was still mathematically in title contention, having impressed in F3 previously. But he cited a fundamental funding issue as to why he no longer is able to compete in the final three races of the campaign.

He confirmed the news on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing: “Firstly, I want to thank ART GP and Williams Racing for all of the support they have given me. This year we have had some incredible moments, multiple wins and a big highlight of winning the feature race in Monaco.

“Unfortunately in our sport, there are more factors at play than just the stopwatch. The simple issue comes down to funding, I won’t be able to complete this F2 season with ART GP.

“I’m gutted to not be able to show my talents for the rest of the year, but I want to say thank you to all of my sponsors, Williams Racing and all of the supporters who are alongside me during this journey. Your support has been invaluable and I can’t wait to be able to drive for you and with you again soon.”

ART GP are yet to confirm who will replace O’Sullivan for the remaining races in Baku, Losail and Yas Marina Circuit, but have the big shoes of a promising driver to be filled.

O’Sullivan was signed to the Williams Driver Academy two years ago and in his second season in F3, he finished second in the championship behind Gabriel Bortoleto, having won the 2021 GB3 title previously.

At the end of last season he had his first taste of driving a F1 car, riding the Williams FW45 in FP1 at Abu Dhabi, the final race setting of the year.

O’Sullivan can perhaps feel slightly unlucky that Franco Colapinto has had such a strong season. The Argentinian was chosen by Williams to replace Logan Sargeant in F1 and can put his name in contention for a seat in the future.

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan has been driving an ART GP car that has struggled to live up to the expectations of the previous season, before pulling out of the series altogether and casting doubt on his future in motorsport.