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Aston Martin assigns Vandoorne to Pirelli F1 tyre test

Aston Martin test and reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne will be back behind the wheel of an F1 next week when he takes part in a Pirelli tyre test at Spa-Francorchamps.

The two-day test which is part of Pirelli’s 2025 development programme will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday after next weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix and will mark Vandoorne’s first outing onboard Aston’s AMR24 machine.

Vandoorne departed the F1 grid at the end of the 2018 season, his final year with McLaren, but has since tested various F1 machinery with Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin.

“I’m really looking forward to driving the AMR24 for the first-time next week in Spa,” he commented.

“It always feels special to be back behind the wheel of a Formula One car, and even more special to be doing it at my home circuit.

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“As an official test, we’ll be running different tyre compounds and constructions to provide Pirelli with feedback.

“With some high and low-speed corners it provides a useful range of data points and there’s usually a high chance of some wet weather running too.”

Stoffel-vandoorne

After moving to the all-electric Formula E series following his exit from F1, the 32-year-old Belgian competed with German outfit HWA, the team that provided the foundation for the works Mercedes squad that competed in FE from 2020 to 2022.

Vandoorne clinched the FE title in 2022 but moved to DS Penske in the wake Mercedes’ departure from Formula E. This year, he finished 10th in the series’ drivers’ standings.

Vandoorne is also a member of the works Peugeot team in the World Endurance Championship.

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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.