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Williams ready to accept Stroll 'mistakes'

Williams tech boss Pat Symonds says the Grove-based outfit is ready to accept the inevitable mistakes and subsequent damage from its rookie driver Lance Stroll.

The 18-year-old, who underwent a massive period of preparation with Williams before stepping into the big time, will be the youngest driver on the grid in Melbourne, and any mistakes will just be part of the learning process insists Symonds.

"Of course he'll make mistakes and we'll be repairing cars," Symonds told Reuters.

"These things happen as part of the process. If you look at his Formula 3 career, in 2015 he was having quite a few accidents in that. The Monza one is just staggering."

Indeed, during a round of the European F3 series at the Italian track in 2015, Stroll got entangled with another car and flipped massively, writing off his race car but fortunately escaping unscathed.

Despite his lack of experience, Symonds has no doubts about the Canadian young gun's skill and talent.

"He hasn't won that championship with anything other than a lot of skill and maturity. For a guy that young he's driven really well in pretty well every condition.

"He's raced well, he's led at the front. He's come through the field a bit, he's driven well in the wet. He is the real deal."

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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.