Maldonado back on the grid with WEC DragonSpeed drive

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Former F1 driver and one-time Grand Prix winner Pastor Maldonado will be back in the driver's seat this year, the Venezuelan competing in the WEC's LMP2 category with the DragonSpeed.

It's been two years since the man who built his legacy on his accidents rather than his results last raced, having taken a few sabbatical years since the end of the 2015 F1 season which he completed with Lotus.

"I've been after Pastor for some time and have now been able to offer him the right package," DragonSpeed boss Elton Julian told Motorsport.com.

"It's all about putting together a line-up that can win the championship — that's why I went after him."

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Maldonado will steer the team's LMP2 Oreca-Gisbon 07 in the World Endurance Championship's superseason alongside former ChampCar driver Roberto Gonzalez and a yet to be named third driver.

Former Sauber and Haas charger Esteban Gutierrez had been anticipated to join the US squad but has ultimately decided to focus on a simulator role with Mercedes.

DragonSpeed will also enter a Gibson-powered BR Engineering BR1 in the WEC's LMP1 class, with Renger van der Zande, Ben Hanley and Henrik Hedman behind the wheel.

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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.