Williams hands FP1 outing to Aitken for Styrian GP

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Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken will make his official F1 debut this week at the Red Bull Ring, taking over George Russell's FW43 for Friday's FP1 Styrian Grand Prix session.

The 24-year-old Campos F2 racer tested for Renault in 2018 and 2019, but the Britain has yet to sample Williams' 2020 contender.

The Grove-based outfit is keen to put mileage under the belt of its young charger in a free practice session as there is no in-season testing scheduled for F1 this year.

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Williams head of vehicle performance Dave Robson says the session will offer an opportunity for the team to assess Aitken while preparing for next weekend's second round in Austria.

"If the weather allows, then this will be a rare opportunity to test some alternative approaches over a full race distance," said Robson, quoted by Autosport.

"On Friday we will also give Jack Aitken his first experience of the FW43 as he drives George's car during FP1.

"Jack has been working hard with the engineers in Grove and we are looking forward to working with him at the track as we continue with our intensive test programme."

Aitken reacted to the news of his FP1 outing with a post on Twitter in which he said it was "an honour to be trusted and determined to show that it's well founded. Bring it on."

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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.