De Vries joins Aston Martin for Monza FP1

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Nyck de Vries has been handed an FP1 outing by Aston Martin F1 for this week's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the Dutchman replacing Sebastian Vettel in the session.

It will be de Vries' third opportunity this season to get behind the wheel of an F1 car in free practice, the 2021 Formula E champion running with Williams at Barcelona back in May and with Mercedes at Paul Ricard in July.

"We are delighted to welcome Nyck to our team, and we look forward to working with him at Monza," commented Aston team boss Mike Krack.

"I have watched Nyck’s career with great interest – he drove brilliantly to win the Formula 2 title in 2019 and underlined his class by winning the Formula E World Championship in 2020/2021, so we are looking forward to gaining his perspectives and insights about our car.

"His achievements show that he clearly deserves a shot at Formula One – and, hopefully, this opportunity to get behind the wheel of the AMR22 will allow him to showcase his abilities to the wider world."

Although de Vries' acquitted himself well during his previous two FP1 outings with Williams and Mercedes, the 27-year-old recently admitted that securing a spot on the grid next season, with so few free seats, was pretty much out of his hands.

But this week's work session with Aston is an experience he'll embrace.

Read also: Red Bull's push for Herta - Andretti's Trojan Horse?

"I am really looking forward to driving for AMF1, particularly at such a legendary circuit as Monza," he said. "

"It will be my third FP1 session of the season, and in the third different Formula One chassis, and these opportunities have given me a fantastic insight into how Formula One cars and teams function and operate.

"I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to the AMF1 team and can undertake a run-programme that proves beneficial to us both."

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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.