Lawson on track with AlphaTauri in FP1 in Mexico

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Kiwi Liam Lawson will enjoy his second FP1 rookie outing of the season this weekend when he takes to the track in Mexico City with Scuderia AlphaTauri.

Lawson was handed his public F1 debut at Spa last August as part of F1 teams' mandatory requirement to run a young driver in at least two practice sessions this season.

Lawson has clinched three wins this year with Carlin in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. The 20-year-old is currently 9th in the standings ahead of the series' finale in Abu Dhabi next month.

Read also: Alpine confirms Doohan FP1 outing at Mexican GP

He was promoted to reserve driver status with Red Bull in the wake of the eviction from the energy drink company's young driver programme of Juri Vips.

Having subbed for Pierre Gasly at the Belgian Grand Prix, Lawson will replace Yuki Tsunoda in Mexico.

Three other young hopefuls will be in action in Friday's opening practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with Jack Doohan on duty with Alpine, Logan Sargeant running with Williams and Pietro Fittipaldi driving for Haas.

At Yas Marina next monte, Fittipaldi, Sargeant, Pato O'Ward (McLaren), Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin) and Robert Shwartzman (Ferrari), are expected to fulfil their respective teams' final FP1 young driver obligations.

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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.