Ferrari hands Pascal Wehrlein development and sim role

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Former Mercedes protégé Pascal Wehrlein has joined Ferrari in his capacity as a development driver for the 2019 season.

The Scuderia was in need of a simulator and development driver after the departures of Daniil Kvyat and Antonio Giovinazzi who handled those duties last season.

A former Manor and Sauber driver, Wehrlein was released from Mercedes at the end of last year. The 24-year-old was subsequently recruited by Mahindra to race in Formula E, but Wehrlein will split his time between the electric series and his commitments at Maranello.

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Ferrari has yet to confirm Werlein's hiring or offer any details regarding employing a second sim driver for its 2019 development programme.

Sebastian Vettel, the 2018 world championship runner-up, recently underscored the importance of the young drivers working behind the scenes, or back at Maranello on race weekends, and contributing to Ferrari's development.

"We’re extremely thankful for the guys, taking in the time because it’s not the nicest job on Friday night, especially when you’re young, but it’s important, it all adds up," said Vettel.

"Everybody plays his part and in the end we have the honour to have the steering wheel in our hands and drive the machine that we all try to create and reach out with performance."

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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.