Brace yourself British F3, here comes Maldonado!

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Manuel Maldonado, the cousin of former F1 Grand Prix winner Pastor Maldonado has elected to race in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship this year.

The 17-year-old's current credentials include a spell last season in Italian F4 and contesting the Indian MRF Challenge in which he finished 14th.

The Venezuelan will race in British F3 in 2017 with Fortec alongside Ben Hingeley and British F4 graduate Nicolai Kjaergaard.

"It's a great opportunity for me to have signed with Fortec, I have worked with them in the past and I am very happy to be here," Maldonado said.

"I know that we can develop well together. Now we keep preparing hard for the upcoming season and it's an honour for me to represent my country Venezuela in a British championship."

One can only hope that Manuel Maldonado shares his cousin's speed while remaining far less crash-prone.

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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.