Sainz and Norris kick into gear with F3 test at Silverstone

©McLaren

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McLaren drivers Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris are up and running at Silverstone today, with the pair warming-up for the start of the 2020 season at the wheel of a pair of F3 cars supplied by Carlin.

Contrary to Mercedes and Renault which both prepared for the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix by undertaking two days of testing with 2018 machines, McLaren shied away from such a possibility or from a filming day with its current-spec car.

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Instead, the Woking-based outfit offered an outing to its drivers at a wet Silverstone on Thursday, with team boss Andreas Seidl on hand to supervise the run.

Norris had already stretched his legs earlier this month with Carlin, but Sainz had yet to get behind the wheel of a real-world machine.
Over in Italy, Ferrari is also revving up for the new season, with Charles Leclerc running a limited program at Fiorano with the Scuderia's new SF1000.

Racing Point conduced a filming day at Silverstone with Lance Stroll and its new car on Wednesday while AlphaTauri is also scheduled to enjoy promotional-day mileage at Imola.

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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.