Toro Rosso FP1 sub Yamamoto apologized to Gasly

Reigning Japanese Super Formula and Super GT champion Naoki Yamamoto apologized to Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly for taking the Frenchman's seat in FP1 at Suzuka.

The highly rated Yamamoto has been awarded a practice session by Honda and Red Bull, but the 31-year-old's opportunity has come at the expense of Gasly.

"He actually apologised to me for being in my car," Gasly told Formula1.com.

"But I told him there is no big deal about it. It was already planned since the beginning of the year.

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"I said to him to enjoy and make sure you enjoy every single lap. He’s a really good guy, really fast, really talented. He knows Suzuka more than anyone else I think on the planet.

"It’s a dream to drive these kind of cars," added Gasly who was Yamamoto's teammate in Super Formula in 2017.

"I said to him enjoy every single lap you have out on track. I gave him a few tips because for sure, compared to Super Formula, the tyres are different, the car’s behaviour is different.

“He’s been in the sim, and there were a couple of things he found really different to the Super Formula. He’s really fast. I think he won more than half his races in Suzuka. He’s really fast here."

Although the two drivers have very different styles, Yamamoto spent Thursday morning consulting with Gasly to help him fast track his F1 debut.

"I kind of know what Pierre likes, I think he likes a car with understeer," said the Japanese driver.

"I’m the opposite! It’s a bit different, our driving style, but I know pretty well his driving style.

"I’m so excited, because driving a Formula 1 car has been my dream since I was young. Finally dreams come true tomorrow!"

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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.