Hopeful Marciello splits with Ferrari and Sauber

Young F1 hopeful Raffaele Marciello has cut ties with Ferrari as well as with the Ferrari-powered Sauber team.

The 21-year-old Swiss-Italian was the most prominent member of Ferrari's driver development academy, having indeed tested for the Scuderia on several occasions as well as with Sauber for which Marciello achieved most of his F1 mileage.

Marciello raced in GP2 last season, finishing the championhsip in seventh place, and has only clinched one win - at Spa in 2014 - in the junior series.

While his 2016 race program will include a third season in GP2 with the Russian Time outfit, Marciello's relationship with Ferrari has not been renewed by Scuderia boss Maurizio Arrivabene, according to Italy's Autosprint.

"I never had a great relationship with him," Marciello acknowledged.

"He did not think I was suitable for Formula 1, so the relationship has ended. You can't please everyone."

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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.

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