Williams junior O'Sullivan enjoys flying start to 2022

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It's been a whirlwind few days for young gun Zak O'Sullivan, the Williams team's latest addition to its Racing Academy, who capped off the week with a prestigious birthday present.

Last week, the 2021 British GP3 champion was confirmed as one of Carlin's chargers for this year's FIA Formula 3 Championship, a piece of good news followed by his induction into the Williams F1 team's driver development program.

And just for good measure, O'Sullivan celebrated his 17th birthday on Sunday as the recipient of the BRDC Young Driver of the Year award, an honour - and a £200,000 check - bestowed upon him at the Autosport Awards held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London,

"I was incredibly happy with the nomination and really enjoyed the evaluation experience in October, so to go home with the prize is the icing on the cake," said O'Sullivan who follows in the footsteps of past BRDC Young Driver of the Year winners Lando Norris and George Russell.

"It’s a massive achievement for a young driver like myself who is still developing their career. So many past Formula One drivers have won the award, so I’m very proud to be on that list."

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.