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Vasseur: Bottas the 'right driver' to move Alfa forward

Alfa Romeo team boss Frédéric Vasseur says future recruit Valtteri Bottas is the right man to move the Hinwil squad towards the front of the grid in the coming years.

Alfa predictably confirmed on Monday that Bottas would be joining its ranks from next season, the current Mercedes driver signing a multi-year deal with the Swiss outfit.

Explaining his team's choice, Vasseur underscored Bottas' strong experience but also the nine-time Grand Prix winner's qualities as a team player.

Read also: Bottas signs multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo Racing!

"It is a pleasure to welcome Valtteri to the team and we are looking forward to our journey together," said Vasseur.

"With him, we bring to Hinwil a strong team player with experience at the sharp end of the grid.

"Valtteri has been an integral part of a team that rewrote the history books and he has four constructors’ world titles to his name: he is the right driver to help Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN make a step forward towards the front of the grid."

©AlfaRomeo

Vasseur and Bottas are well acquainted, with the Finn working alongside the former during his formative years in Formula 3 as a member of the Frenchman's ART Grand Prix outfit.

"Our relationship goes back a long way, to when we worked together in successful campaigns in F3 and GP3, and his talent and skills have been evident ever since, only growing with the time," added Vasseur.

"I’m really looking forward to seeing him put his ability to work for the good of the team.

"The multi-year deal bringing him to us gives both Valtteri and the team the stability we need to build our project at a crucial time for Formula One: we are excited for what the future holds in store."

Alfa Romeo has yet to confirm who will fill its second seat, with incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi, Mercedes protégé Nyck de Vries and Red Bull driver Alex Albon earmarked as the leading contenders for the drive. But finally, don't be surprised to see Mick Schumacher move from Haas to Alfa.

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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.