Mercedes name Vandoorne and Gutierrez as reserve drivers

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Stoffel Vandoorne has a foot back in Formula 1, the former McLaren driver being handed a reserve role with Mercedes for the 2020 season.

As a works driver for the German manufacturer's Formula E team, Vandoorne was already affiliated with Mercedes.

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The Belgian will share his reserve status on race weekends with former F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez, with the pair replacing Esteban Ocon who will be racing with Renault this season on a full-time basis.

The FIA Formula E calendar was stripped of its Chinese round at Sanya which, along with the cancellation of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, means that three FE events are set to clash this season with F1 race weekends, preventing Vandoorne from embedding with Mercedes in Hanoi, Zandvoort and Baku.

©Mercedes

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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.