Kvyat joins Alpine F1 Team as 2021 reserve driver

©Alpine

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Former AlphaTauri charger Daniil Kvyat will be hanging around the F1 paddock this season, with the Russian imbedding with the Alpine F1 team as its reserve driver for 2021.

Kvyat's roller-coaster career in F1 saw the 26-year-old promoted to F1 with Toro Rosso in 2014 and then stepping to Red Bull Racing the following year.

But Kvyat was eventually rejected by the energy drink company before its motorsport boss Helmut Marko brought him back into the fray with Toro Rosso in 2019. However, the Russian had to make way at the end of last year for new recruit and Honda protégé Yuki Tsunoda.

"I'm very excited to join the Alpine F1 Team family," said Kvyat in Alpine's presentation on Tuesday.

"The team has achieved some great results in the past year and is very technologically advanced.

'Development has been strong, and I am aiming to contribute to this positive trend. I will try to bring my experience on and off the track to help develop the A521 and future cars as well.

"As a reserve driver you need to keep sharp and I look forward to integrating into the team in different areas."

Read also: Alpine F1 team showcases new identity A521

Alpine has also confirmed that Academy member Guanyu Zhou will enjoy once again a test role with the French outfit this season.

"I’m very happy to be the team’s Test Driver for another year as I enter my third year as an Alpine Academy driver," said the Chinese driver.

"It’s my second year in this role, having been the team’s Development Driver in 2019. It means I will get the opportunity to contribute to the progress of the team, which is very valuable experience for me as I continue my road to F1.

"As Test Driver I try to help the team out during the season where possible; whether at the racetrack or in the simulator at Enstone. They’ve given me a lot of trust and I want to repay this faith by helping to improve the development of the car throughout the season."

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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.