Tsunoda to test with AlphaTauri in Abu Dhabi

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Honda protégé and F2 charger Yuki Tsunoda will enjoy mileage behind the wheel of a 2020 AlphaTauri at F1's end-of-season young drivers' test at Abu Dhabi in December.

AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost recently said that the 20-year-old Japanese driver would likely join the Red Bull junior squad "sooner or later", but Tost confirmed on Friday at Spa Tsunoda's test with the team.

"I am not only impressed with his driving in the Formula 2, I was impressed last year in Formula 3 as well and the years before," said Tost.

"He is really high skilled driver and I think he has all the ingredients together to become a successful Formula 1 driver. He for sure will test for us in Abu Dhabi at the Young Drivers’ Test."

Tost: 'Fantastic' Tsunoda will join AlphaTauri 'sooner or later'

Tsunoda finished ninth in last year's FIA Formula 3 championship but has already won in Formula 2 this season with Carlin, clinching the sprint race at Silverstone's second round and collecting two other podium finishes.

And on Friday, Tsunoda secured pole at Spa for Saturday's F2 feature race.

"Whether he will drive for us next year or not, this is being decided by Red Bull," added Tost. "It depends also whether he gets the super licence.

"If he continues like now and he will be within the first three or four drivers in the Formula 2 championship then it shouldn’t be a problem to receive the super licence and the rest then we will see."

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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.