Williams crew adds an extra pair of hands for Spa

©Williams

There will be a familiar face during Williams roll car at Spa when motorcycle racer and TV personality Guy Martin checks in tomorrow.

Working on an F1 team is a coveted job which Guy Martin will have the privilege to assume with the Williams Martini Racing outfit for an entire race weekend.

A truck mechanic by trade, Guy visited the Williams base ahead of the Belgian GP, where the team ran him through the major tasks he’ll be expected to perform during the race weekend.

Having forged a successful career motorcycling, Guy knows only too well how the race result is in the mechanics’ hands, so practice is essential.

During the race weekend, Guy will be tasked with helping to set up the garage before assisting the car crew build the FW40 car.

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He will proceed to work two 90-minute practice sessions on Friday, a further hour practice session on Saturday before a three-stage qualifying session and then the race itself.

The pit crew look after both of Williams’ drivers – Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll – and every pitstop is crucial.

Guy will be working with the fastest team in the business, with the team having set the fastest pitstop of the season so far at just 2.02-seconds during the British Grand Prix.

After the race, as the drivers head for the nearest airport, a whole new day of work begins for the mechanics.

It takes at least 10 hours to strip the cars, take down the garage, and pack everything away, ready to be transported to the next race. Guy will, of course, stay to the end.

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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.