Pourchaire set for FP1 debut with Alfa Romeo in Austin

©AlfaRomeo

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Sauber Academy charger Theo Pourchaire will enjoy his first official F1 practice session next week in Austin thanks to Alfa Romeo.

The 19-year-old Frenchman will take over Valtteri Bottas' C42 for FP1 at the U.S. Grand Prix as part of the Hinwil squad's young driver outings mandated this season by Formula 1.

Pourchaire currently sits second in the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Championship – his second season in the series – having clinched three races and seven podiums with two races to go.

Next year, with no opening to step up the ladder and race in F1 with Alfa, the young charger will take on the role of one of Swiss outfit's reserve drivers for its 2023 campaign.

©AlfaRomeo

"I am thrilled to be making my Free Practice debut in Austin," said Pourchaire, who tested an older-spec F1 with Alfa in 2021.

"It will be my second time behind the wheel of a Formula One car, but in some ways, it will feel like it’s the first time, as this time it will be during an official Grand Prix session.

"It feels like a dream coming true, and I want to thank Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN for putting their trust in me and granting me this amazing opportunity.

"I am looking forward to being on track, and I will make sure to get the most out of it and to do my best to support the team as they prepare for the United States Grand Prix."

Read also: Alfa Romeo F1 retains Zhou Guanyu for 2023 F1 season

Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur said: "“Théo has been delivering great performances over the course of this season, as well as during the previous years.

"We have been working closely with him for almost four years now, as a member of our Academy, and we have been impressed by his constant progress and development as a driver first and, equally importantly, as a person.

"We are delighted to give him his first Free Practice outing next week: it’s a well-deserved opportunity, and I’m confident he will once again impress us with his performances, as he will help the team gather valuable data ahead of the United States Grand Prix."

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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.