Red Bull-backed Albon to compete in DTM series

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Red Bull reserve driver Alex Albon will take part in selected rounds of the German DTM championship this season with backing from the energy drink company.

Albon lost his seat in F1 to Sergio Perez but the British-Thai racer has been retained as RBF's official back-up driver. However, the 24-year-old will don his overalls and helmet this year as he tackles the DTM's new GT3 era.

Albon won't be the only Red Bull-backed driver on the DTM grid with RB junior and F2 prospect Liam Lawson also set to race in the series.

"The DTM with a high-class field and GT3 sports cars is an interesting platform and a real challenge, both for successful race drivers like Alex Albon as for our Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson," said Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko.

Read also: Red Bull could 'loan out' Albon in 2021 - Marko

It's currently unclear for which team Albon will race, but so far five outfits have committed to the DTM's maiden GT3 campaign: GruppeM (Mercedes), 2 Seas Motorsport and Jenson Team Rocket RJN (both McLaren), Team Rosberg and Team Abt (both Audi).

"Formula 1 drivers like Alex Albon, DTM stars like three-time champion Rene Rast, GT professionals and young talents like Liam Lawson - that is a high-class driver mix the way I would like it for the 2021 DTM season," commented DTM boss Gerhard Berger.

"It is also a perfect fit that ex-Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has already submitted an entry for the DTM with his team. Alex Albon is a young, ambitious driver and an outstanding gain for the DTM."

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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.