Williams Racing extends Nissany testing role for 2021

Israeli racer Roy Nissany will once again fulfill the role of official test driver for William Racing this year.

Nissany enjoyed three Friday free practice outings with Williams last year, at Barcelona, Monza and Bahrain, adding track mileage to his simulator hours with the Grove-based outfit.

The 26-year-old, who raced last year in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, also took part with Williams in the post-season F1 test in Abu Dhabi.

Nissany's 2021 duties with the team will follow a similar schedule, although he will undertake a day of pre-season testing ahead of the first race of the season.

"I am truly honoured to continue being part of Williams," Nissany said "Since we started, we have made huge progress across many areas - on top of the great FP1's, we had a lot of productive work behind the scenes.

"While dedicating as much as I can to the team, I enhanced my skills and my capabilities as a driver. I am very keen to continue this form in 2021."

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Simon Roberts, Team Principal, commented: "I am pleased that Roy will continue as the team’s Official Test Driver into 2021, building on the good work we started last year.

"As a team, we were very happy with the contributions Roy made both through his work on-track and in the simulator at Grove, which all aided the lap time gains we were able to make with the FW43.

"We also enjoyed seeing Roy grow as a driver, and we have no doubt that he will continue to go from strength-to-strength this year."

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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.