Mercedes adds 15-year-old Paul Aron to its junior team

40

Mercedes AMG F1 has recruited 15-year-old Formula 4 racer Paul Aron and added the young talent to its junior driver programme.

The Estonian teenager and European karting champion stepped up to single-seater racing this season and currently competes with Prema in the German and Italian F4 championships.

Ticktum dropped from Red Bull junior programme

Aron becomes the fifth member of the Silver Arrows squad's young driver scheme, joining senior member and Mercedes F1 reserve driver Esteban Ocon, Williams's George Russell and young Mercedes-supported karters Andrea Antonelli and Alex Powell.

Paul Aron is the brother of Ralf Aron who finished sixth in the 2018 European Formula 3 Championship and who won the Italian F4 title with Prema in 2015.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.