Aston reserve Vandoorne concludes Pirelli tyre test at Spa

©AstonMartin

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Aston Martin reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne got his first taste of the team's AMR23 at Spa-Francorchamps on Wednesday, the Belgian running on the final day of Pirelli's tyre test at the track.

Vandoorne's outing at his home circuit was his first at the wheel of an F1 car since 2020, the former McLaren driver sharing testing duties with Lance Stroll.

On Tuesday, the Canadian who finished ninth in last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix completed 71 laps of Spa in rainy conditions, with Vandoorne concluding the test with 53 laps on the board.

"It was great to be back in an F1 car today driving the AMR23," said the 2022 Formula E world champion.

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"It’s been a while and it was also my first time driving in green with Aston Martin. To do it at Spa was also very special for obvious reasons despite the wet weather.

"We ran on Wet tyres in the morning and then as conditions improved into the afternoon we ran through the programme on the Intermediate tyres. The car felt good even in these wet conditions and I enjoyed every lap."

©AstonMartin

Last weekend in London, Vandoorne concluded his 2023 Formula E campaign with DS Penske, the 31-year-old finishing eleventh in the Drivers' standings following a challenging season in which he enjoyed his best result – 4th – in the first round in Jakarta.

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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.