Lucas Auer set for Force India reserve role

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DTM racer Lucas Auer, who also happens to be Gerhard Berger's nephew, looks set to become Force India's reserve driver for 2018.

The 23-year-old, whose DTM Mercedes team shares the same pink BWT sponsor as the Silverstone-base outfit, enjoyed his first F1 test in Hungary last summer.

According to Germany's Auto Bild, Auer would share his reserve driver role with 2017 GP3 champion and Mercedes protégé Georges Russell, whose parents are reportedly close to Mercedes strategist James Vowles.

GP3 champion George Russell handed FP1 début in Brazil

Auer will once again be racing in Germany's premier racing series next year, Mercedes' ultimate season in DTM, while Russell will step up to the European Formula 2 championship.

The British driver will be in Brazil this weekend however, where he will take part in Friday's first free practice session with Force India, who will also run Russell in FP1 in Abu Dhabi.

Both young drivers have been put on Force India's agenda following team owner Vijay Mallya's desire to hand development roles to promising young talents rather than to deep-pocketed juniors such as Alfonso Celis Jr or Nikita Mazepin who were provided outings with the team this year.

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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.