Santino Ferruci continues as Haas development driver

©Haas

Haas F1 Team has extended the duties of young American hopeful Santino Ferruci as its resident development driver for 2017.

The 18-year-old from Woodbury, Connecticut, will assume his Haas duties while also competing in his first full season of GP3 as a member of the DAMS outfit.

Ferruci tested for Haas during a two-day in-season test in July 2016 and kept himself abreast by attending tests and races throughout the year while also participating in simulator work for the team.

"We’re very happy to have Santino back with us and look forward to his continuing development in GP3," said Guenther Steiner, team principal, Haas F1 Team.

"We liked what we saw of him last year in our test at Silverstone and his maturity inside and outside of the car is impressive.

"Santino is a young, American driver with plenty of potential who is learning a lot with DAMS and us."

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With his simultaneous commitments to Haas and GP3, the youngster is looking forward to another year of learning and progress.

"I said it last year when I became a part of Haas F1 Team – my goal since I first started racing is to become a Formula One driver, and to be an American who is part of an American team is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in," Ferrucci said.

"I learned a lot last year in GP3 with DAMS and with Haas F1 Team. The combination of the two allowed me to learn more and at a faster rate.

"I feel so much more prepared this year. I’m really looking forward to getting started."

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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.