Alonso 'reserve' role at McLaren still being mulled

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McLaren is still mulling the possibility of calling upon Fernando Alonso as its reserve driver should circumstances warrant it.

While the Spaniard has departed Formula 1, he still retains a formal link with McLaren through the team's Indy 500 endeavour.

The Woking-based outfit added Sergio Sette Camara to its junior programme for 2019 but the talented Brazilian doesn't hold a superlicence, contrary to fellow McLaren junior Nyck de Vries.

McLaren filled with 'excitement and anticipation' - de Ferran

However, the Dutchman has not been nominated as a McLaren reserve, at least not yet. For now, Brown is keeping his team's options open.

"Fernando is still part of the team with our Indy 500 project," Brown said on Thursday at the team's 2019 launch.

"Gil [de Ferran] ultimately leads our kind of driver plan so we have a few plans in directions that we could go if we needed a reserve driver.

"I think we'd probably stop short of announcing our reserve driver, but I think there is a variety of drivers out there that if we need someone on short notice that could fill that role."

©McLaren

With regard to pre-season testing which kicks off next week, pundits speculated that Alonso could be present in Barcelona, but Brown isn't making any projections, insisting McLaren is committed to running Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"Right now we are taking testing one day at a time," he said.

"We are focusing on our racing drivers. Any time you go into pre-season testing and doing everything from reliability to performance, you have a set plan and you take it one day at a time."

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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.