Ericsson vacates IndyCar seat - heads to Spa with Alfa!

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Marcus Ericsson will vacate his Arrow SPM seat for this weekend's IndyCar round in Portland and attend the Belgian Grand Prix as Alfa Romeo's designated reserve driver.

Reports from Italy suggest that a leg injury could potentially prevent Kimi Raikkonen from taking part in the Belgian Grand Prix, with Ericsson's presence in Spa a precautionary measure taken by Alfa.

Arrow SPM confirmed that it had released Ericsson from his Portland duties following a request from Alfa Romeo.

Ericsson, who raced for four seasons with Sauber/Alfa Romeo, lost his drive with the Swiss outfit at the start of the year and signed up for a full IndyCar campaign with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

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However, the Swedish driver's results have left him just 17th in the series, with a podium finish at Belle Isle representing his best performance.

Arrow SPM's recently announced association with McLaren in IndyCar from 2020 has also put a cloud over Ericsson's future in America.

With just two IndyCar rounds remaining, the 28-year-old driver's absence in Portland, where he will be replaced by Conor Daly, will also deprive the Swede of an opportunity to improve his track record and better his chances of remaining in IndyCar next season.

The 2019 NTT IndyCar Series will conclude in Monterey on September 22, where Ericsson should be on the grid with Arrow SPM.

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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.