Grosjean on the sidelines for FP2 after morning crash

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Romain Grosjean will be sitting on the sidelines for Friday afternoon's second practice session, the Haas driver writing off his chassis after a heavy crash in FP1.

The Frenchman lost control at the fast sweeping Turn 1 corner after attempting to rush through flat-out with the DRS open.

The Haas drifted to the outside of the track but its contact with the barriers was big enough to inflict heavy damage on the VF-18 chassis.

When the car came to a halt, Grosjean radioed in to his team, saying he had failed to close the DRS before entering the corner.

"The car is destroyed, very very sorry. I think it was the bump, I missed the button," he said.

Hamilton and Mercedes lay down a marker in FP1

FIA regulations prevent a driver equipped with a new chassis to take part in a session on the same day.

"We need to change the chassis," said team boss Gunther Steiner. "He will not be out in FP2. Simple as that."

Grosjean's team mate, Kevin Magnussen, also found himself in hot water, an on-track encounter with McLaren's Fernando Alonso and a bout of road rage from the Dane warranting an immediate hearing with the Stewards.

Steiner, commenting on his drivers' quandaries, maintained a rather good spirit despite the setbacks.

"We're back to a normal day in the office," joked the Italian.

"One car we need to change chassis, the other is with the stewards right now, so we're just getting normal now!

"I hope we can get it back together tomorrow and have a good race on Sunday, more like Austria."

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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.