Alfa Romeo hands Styrian GP FP1 session to Kubica

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Alfa Romeo reserve driver Robert Kubica will have an opportunity to saddle the Swiss outfit's C39 machine this week, the Pole replacing Antonio Giovionazzi in Friday's Styrian GP FP1 session at the Red Bull Ring.

Kubica, whose valued technical feedback will hopefully help Alfa Romeo improve the low-key performance of its 2020 car as displayed last weekend, sampled the C39 in pre-season testing in Barcelona last winter.

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"I am looking forward to returning to action this weekend, especially after the long break the whole world of motorsport had to observe," said Kubica.

"My objective, as always, is to provide as much data as possible for our engineers and to give them my feedback from within the cockpit.

"This weekend will be quite a new experience for everyone, racing in the same venue we were on just a few days ago, so it will be a matter of refining all the data we collected over the course of the Austrian Grand Prix and testing the adjustments we want to make to the cars."

In addition to his reserve driver and simulator role with Alfa this year, Kubica is also committed to racing in the German DTM series with an ART-run BMW.

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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.