Mercedes junior George Russell secures GP3 title

©GP3

A pack of points collected in the penultimate round of the 2017 GP3 championship were enough to give Mercedes protégé Georges Russell the title.

A runner-up spot in Saturday's round at Jerez added to a fourth-place finish on Sunday have put the ART Grand Prix driver out of reach of his rivals before the curtain closes on the series at Yas Marina in November.

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To date, Russell has collected four victories in his maiden GP3 season. The 19-year-old joined Mercedes' junior driver program at the beginning of the year.

He tested for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team last summer at the two day in season test which took place at the Hungaroring right after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

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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.