Bottas to make Alfa Romeo debut in Abu Dhabi post-season test

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Valtteri Bottas has been given the green light by Mercedes to test with his new team, Alfa Romeo Racing, next week in Abu Dhabi.

The Finn will bid farewell to the Brackley squad on Sunday evening at Yas Marina after a five-year stint with the championship winning outfit for which he has delivered 10 Grand Prix wins.

Bottas has signed a multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo, but it was unclear if the 32-year-old would be released from his Mercedes contract to make his debut with the Swiss outfit on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.

Formula 1's post-season test will take place over two days at Yas Marina, with all teams running a rookie or junior driver on one day and a mule car fitted with 2022-spec 18-inch wheels on both days as part of Pirelli's tyre development program.

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However, while Williams will entrust its FW43B to young American hopeful Logan Sargeant, the Grove-based outfit will be sitting out the 18-inch wheel test as it does not have a mile car.

As for Bottas, the Finn who qualified sixth for Sunday's title decider in Abu Dhabi, will approach his final race with Mercedes ready to step up to the plate and help teammate Lewis Hamilton conquer a record eighth world title while also helping his team prevail in the Constructors' championship.

"I’m ready to sacrifice my optimal race because we really want both titles and I really want us to win both titles before I go," he said.

"I’m definitively going to do my part for the team to get both titles."

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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.