Gasly gets Super Formula gig

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Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly, who was looked over for a drive with Toro Rosso, will retain his backing from the energy drinks company and race in the Japanese Super Formula series.

It was anticipated that 2016 GP2 champion Gasly would graduate to F1 with the junior bull outfit, replacing Dany Kvyat.

Indeed it appeared the Frenchman himself was under that impression following his own comments that he believed the door to F1 was open for 2017.

Under the skin of the Toro Rosso STR11

But Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko crushed the driver's hopes and set the record straight by re-signing Kvyat and Carlos Sainz for 2017, and publicly dressing down the young hopeful, insisting that Gasly had 'made too many mistakes'.

Gasly now follows in the footsteps of Stoffel Vandoorne whom McLaren sent to Japan for a year before entrusting the Belgian with a drive alongside Fernando Alonso.

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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.