Bottas forced to back out of ROC in Sweden

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Alfa Romeo F1 charger Valtteri Bottas has unexpectedly pulled out of this weekend's Race of Champions event in Pite Havsbad in Sweden.

The former Mercedes driver and ten-time Grand Prix winner was on site at the venue this week and preparing for this weekend's event in which he was scheduled to take part alongside two-time F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen for Team Finland in the Nations Cup competition.

"Valtteri had commitments and a last-minute cancellation," revealed Hakkinen, commenting on his countryman's absence at the pre-event press conference on Friday.

Bottas has been replaced in Team Finland's lineup by W Series racer Emma Kimilainen, much to the 32-year-old's delight as she'll be competing alongside her childhood hero.

"He [Hakkinen] is my childhood hero," enthused Kimilainen.

Read also: Bottas has 'nowhere to put' massive Mercedes parting gift

"His kids are turning eight today and I was remembering when I was their age, watching every Sunday when there was F1, watching the racing.

"I could always remember Mika overtaking a couple of times around the outside, so watching him racing and now being here, it's an honour."

Hakkinen and Kimilainen will kick off their weekend with a quarter-final Nations Cup round against Team GB and a pair of familiar faces for both drivers, with the British tandem comprised of Hakkinen's former McLaren teammate David Coulthard and two-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick.

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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.