O’Sullivan expecting ‘close’ battle at the front in Barcelona but eyes top positions

Fresh from his maiden Formula 2 victory in Monte Carlo last time out, ART Grand Prix driver Zak O’Sullivan has stated his targets for this week’s action in Barcelona.

The British driver took victory in dramatic fashion in the Monaco Feature Race, and he believes that after a difficult start to the season, it was a reward for his and his team’s progress.

“Feels good,” said O’Sullivan when asked about his new status as a winner in F2. “I’ve come down now obviously, so full focus is on the next race. Like always as soon as you have done one race it’s on to the next, we are here in Barcelona now and I’m looking forward to it.

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“It's no secret it hasn't been the easiest start, which is an understatement, it’s not where we want to be as a team but there are some elements we have done really well.

“I don't think we've been given the full reward for our efforts or the progress we have made. So, it was nice in that sense to have a race where we could show our pace and to get a result in the end.

“There have been times from my side or Victor Martins’ side that we have had good pace, but it's never really materialised into a proper points haul. It was good to get that under our belts and it's a nice morale boost for the team as well.”

O’Sullivan puts that progress down to the steady improvements that they have made across the entire season. However, he notes that the in-season test in Barcelona also helped them get a better understanding of the new Formula 2 car.

He still expects there to be plenty of change before the year’s end, believing that the teams are likely to get closer in performance as they get to grips with the machinery.

That starts this weekend in Barcelona where the Williams Driver Academy prospect is expecting a tight battle for the top spots.

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“I’m looking forward to it,” said O’Sullivan. “It is mainly due to the test we have here, it's always a very close weekend. Qualifying is always very, very close and that's the key around this circuit, it's all at the front.

“Overtaking is pretty difficult but hopefully we can have a strategy masterclass if needed again but Qualifying is the target, and we will go from there.”

He added: “I’ve seen that there is potentially some rain on Sunday, there are a few more support races here with F1 Academy and Formula 3, so maybe they will dry up the track.

“It's one of those tracks we never really drive in the rain, it's always dry and warm here when we come. So, let's see, anything to spice up the rain on Sunday would be welcomed.”

With that in mind, O’Sullivan talked through his targets as while another win would not be turned down, the main aim will be to put a complete weekend together.

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“A nice points haul is always the target,” he continued. “It's hard to put a number on it, so I think stringing a proper weekend together and having good pace across the weekend is the main thing.

“I think we've always shown glimmer of pace, but never been there through a full weekend, that's the target.”