Are Sirotkin and Wehrlein peering through the gates at Maranello?

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Sergey Sirotkin and Pascal Wehrlein could be contenders for a development role at Ferrari as both drivers aim to return to F1 in the future.

Sirotkin has also been ousted from F1 for 2019, losing his seat at Williams to returnee Robert Kubica.

Speaking to Russia's Championat, the 23-year-old admitted that he could be interested in the simulator and development role that Ferrari had entrusted to Dany Kvyat this year.

"Next week we will resolve this issue, especially if we set ourselves the goal of returning to Formula 1 in 2020," said Sirotkin.

The real reason behind Sirotkin's departure from Williams

"That is potentially a very good place, because you embrace three teams at once -- Haas, Sauber and Ferrari. It is a great option."

After two full season of Grand Prix racing, first with Manor and then with Sauber, Pascal Wehrlein was left off the grid at the start of 2018.

The Mercedes protégé will jump onboard the Formula E bandwagon with Mahindra at the series' second round in Marrakech in January, at which time he will have left the German manufacturer's driver programme.

But according to Sebastian Vettel, his countryman is also eyeing a role with the House of Maranello for 2019.

"Yeah, maybe he'll be our simulator driver now," Vettel told Blick newspaper.

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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.