Sean Gelael gets FP1 outings with Toro Rosso

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Scuderia Toro Rosso has announced that Sean Gelael will be driving one of its cars in the Free Practice 1 sessions at Singapore, Malaysia, USA and Mexico.

The 20 year old Indonesian is currently competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and drove for Toro Rosso at the post- Bahrain and Hungarian Grand Prix tests earlier this year.

"What an amazing opportunity! First of all, I want to thank everyone who made this possible and most importantly for the belief they have shown in me," enthused Gelael.

"It is an honour to be driving in Formula 1, starting in Singapore and Malaysia, two venues that are so close to my home country, Indonesia.

"I will use the opportunity to absorb like a sponge everything I can and learn as much as possible.

"I hope I can do a good job for Scuderia Toro Rosso and provide the team with good data from these important first sessions."

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Toro Rosso said a timetable regarding which of its two cars Sean Gelael will drive will be drawn up in due course.

"During the tests in Bahrain and Budapest Sean performed very well, helping the team in a very professional way, with a mature approach to the complex task of providing engineers with useful feedback.

"Everyone within the team was impressed by his performance, his technical understanding and his commitment.

"Therefore, we are happy that he will be driving the FP1 sessions for us at these four Grands Prix. I am sure he will do an excellent and useful job for the team."

Carlos Sainz is currently the only driver contracted to the Faenza-based team for 2018. Dany Kvyat is expecting to see his contract with Red Bull extended while young hopeful Pierre Gasly is still hopeful of a promotion to F1 next season.

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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.