Aston Martin hires former Red Bull aero man Alessi

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Aston Martin has announced the hiring of former Red Bull aerodynamicist Andrew Alessi as the team's head of technical operations.

Alessi, a former key member of Red Bull's aero department, will lead, manage and develop the design, planning, production and operations of the team’s aerodynamics department.

"I am delighted to be joining Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team as Head of Technical Operations," said Alessi who joined Red Bull in 2009.

"Like everyone in and around Formula One, I have seen and been impressed by the evident ambition of the team I am joining, led as it is now by Lawrence Stroll [Executive Chairman], and I am very much looking forward to working with Otmar Szafnauer [Team Principal and Chief Executive Officer] as well as the very capable technical- and engineering-focused members of the senior management team.

"Now is a fantastic time to be joining a team that is growing fast, and I am ready to get stuck in straight away so as to contribute to the process of making the significant aerodynamic and operational improvements that we need in order to win consistently in the future."

Alessi's recruitment follows the hiring announced last week of Dan Fallows, another long-standing Red Bull staff member who will become Aston's technical director in the future.

"Two weeks ago we announced the hiring of Luca Furbatto as our new Engineering Director, who will start work for us in due course," commented Szafnauer. "Last week Dan Fallows’ forthcoming arrival as our new Technical Director was also made public.

"Today, Andrew Alessi is added to the impressive list of our senior technical/engineering hirings, as Head of Technical Operations. Ours is a great team, and it always has been.

Read also: Red Bull head of aero Fallows to become Aston Martin tech boss

"This year it became Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team, a great brand name supported by a fantastic roster of brilliant new sponsor-partners.

"Many times this year we have said: ‘This team has always punched above its weight; now it has the weight with which to punch harder.’

"That is absolutely true – and expert and experienced new arrivals such as Luca, Dan and now Andrew represent proof that we are building the technical/engineering strength in depth that we need in order to deliver that harder punch."

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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.