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F3 hopeful Stroll in line for Williams development role

Young Canadian hopeful Lance Stroll is expected to be offered a development role with Williams Grand Prix next season according to Autosport.

The 17-year-old is a member of the Ferrari Young Driver Academy programme which is run by the Scuderia's former chief track engineer Luca Baldisserri.

But the Canadian will apparently depart the programme and move to Grove where the youngster is expected to fulfill , at least in part, the duties previously assumed by recently retired racer Susie Wolff.

Stroll has been fine tuning his talent with the Italian Prema Powertrain team in the European Formula 2 Championship, achieving a victory in the first race of the series' final round at Hockenheim.

While serving his Williams apprenticeship, Stroll will remain with Prema in 2016, financially supported by his billionaire father Lawrence Stroll who at one point last year was linked to a potential buy-out of Sauber, although the deal never came to fruition.

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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.