New F1 press conference format to be introduced in Melbourne

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Formula 1 has changed the format of Thursday's drivers press conference, trialing the new schedule tomorrow in Melbourne.

The media session will be split into two 25-minute parts featuring a group of four drivers each.

The traditional format included six drivers in attendance for 30 minutes.

In Australia, eight drivers will be split into two groups of four, with each group spending 25 minutes with print media while the other group caters to TV media, and the groups swapping thereafter.

A good example of effective use of time, the change will benefit the media which now gets 50 minutes with eight drivers, rather than 30 minutes with six as before.

Thursday's press conference will include the following groups of drivers:

Part1: Fernando Alonso (McLaren), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

Part 2: Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), Felipe Massa (Williams), Esteban Ocon (Force India), Lance Stroll (Williams).

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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.