Haas retains hot-head Ferruci in its junior programme

Santino Ferrucci, who was banned by the FIA from racing F2 and sacked by his Trident team, has been retained by Haas as a member of its junior programme.

The 20-year-old American with an attitude was involved in a serious case of road rage at Silverstone earlier this summer when he deliberately banged wheels with his Trident team mate Arjun Maini.

Despite Ferrucci's appalling behavior, Haas will keep the hot-head charger in its stable, but will keep an eye on the driver's track record as he migrates to IndyCar for the upcoming Portland and Sonoma races which he will run with Dale Coyne Racing.

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"I think we keep him for the time being on the programme," Haas boss Guenther Steiner said in Belgium.

"We will see what he is going to do in IndyCar and stay with that one.

"The guy is trying to make a career and in the end we don’t want to pull the rug under his feet."

Indeed Guenther, Ferrucci seems perfectly capable of doing that on his own…

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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.