Yesterday, like a bolt from the blue, the announcement came of theZak O'Sullivan's Farewell to the preparatory category due to lack of financial support. On the eve of the weekend of F2 in Baku, the team ART GP has appointed as O'Sullivan's replacement another driver from the Williams Academy: Luke browning.
Browning named O'Sullivan's replacement for remainder of F2 season
The Baku weekend hasn't started yet, but there are already some surprises: on the starting grid of the preparatory category in fact we will see new faces. The young Oliver Goethe – who will replace Colapinto for the rest of the season – and Niels Koolen with AIX Racing made their debut in the Monza round. Azerbaijan will take to the track for the first time on board a Formula 2 single-seater, 3 drivers: Gabriele Mini with Prema, Christian Mansell with Trident and Luke Browning with ART Gran Prix.
The arrival of the latter was announced today by the French team, which thought of Browning as O'Sullivan's replacement for the rest of the F2 championship. The Englishman – now ex-ART GP driver – has communique who, due to a lack of funds, will not be able to participate in the remaining races of the 2024 season. The wheel of Zak's car will pass into the hands of his compatriot Luke Browning who this season took part in the FIA Formula 3 championship with Hitech, ranking third.
All set for the Englishman's debut
The Williams Academy driver has collected two victories this season in F3: in the opening round of Sakhir and later in the Feature Race of Spielberg. Browning fought for the title until the last one Monza race where, following an accident on the third lap – and a penalty – he was unable to grab the champion title.
Luke Browning therefore moves up a category and will make his F2 debut on the Azerbaijan street circuit. He will then take part in the remaining races of the season in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, alongside the Frenchman Victor Martins.
