Red Bull to field Vips and Buemi in Abu Dhabi test

©RedBull

Red Bull Racing's line-up for next week's young driver test in Abu Dhabi will blend the future with the past, with junior driver Juri Vips driving alongside F1 veteran Sebastien Buemi.

While next Tuesday's test is restricted to drivers who haven't taken part in at least two Grands Prix, an exemption has been granted to Red Bull to run the 32-year-old Buemi who hasn't raced in F1 since 2011.

"I haven’t driven the car since the Pirelli test last year in Silverstone, so the test in Abu Dhabi is very important to me," said Red Bull's long-standing reserve and test driver who raced for three season in F1 with Toro Rosso from 2009 to 2011.

"I spend a lot of time working in the simulator and if you get the opportunity to drive the real car it’s much better for the correlation.

©RedBull

"So, I can give feedback on how the simulator behaves compared to the real car. It also gives opportunity for an extra driver to provide feedback to the Team.

"It’s a great opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it."

Read also: AlphaTauri adds Sato to Abu Dhabi F1 test

Red Bull junior Vips, who took part in eight rounds of the FIA Formula 2 Championship this year, scoring a podium at Mugello, will be making his F1 debut at Yas Marina next week.

"I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that Aston Martin Red Bull Racing have given me to drive the RB16 at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi," said the 20-year-old who hails from Estonia.

"This will be the first time I get to drive a current Formula One car as I did my 300km in an RB8.

"There will be a lot to learn but I will make sure I prepare as much as I can and it has been good for me to be with the Team as reserve driver for the last few races."

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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.