Ferrari junior Giuliano Alesi steps up to Formula 2

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Giuliano Alesi - the 19-year-old son of former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi - will graduate next year to the FIA Formula 2 series with Trident.

A member of the Scuderia's Driver Academy, Alesi has been racing in GP3 for the past three years, a series in which he won four races.

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The Frenchman got his first taste of F2 at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi last week, with his promotion to F2 with trident confirmed on Friday.

"It's an amazing opportunity," Alesi said.

"First of all I want to thank Trident as it's going to be a pleasure to continue racing with them in F2. This is a new category, a new adventure, which I'm really looking forward to.

"This year hasn't quite gone as we all hoped, but I'm really looking forward to a successful season with Trident in 2019.

"We are going to work hard this winter, and try and come back as strong as possible for the season opener."

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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.