Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsLotus F1

Palmer gears up for F1 debut

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Lotus F1 Team reserve driver Jolyon Palmer will put himself and the Lotus E23 through its paces in Friday's Chinese Grand Prix first practice session.

The 24-year-old son of former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, who won last year's GP2 title, has been gearing up for the event by spending time in the team's simulator at Enstone. Palmer also tested the E23 Hybrid in Barcelona during pre-season testing.

“It will be my first time driving an F1 car on a Grand Prix weekend so I’m really excited and looking forward to Friday’s session,” said Palmer. "I’ve never raced on the Shanghai circuit before so there is plenty of homework to do but I will make sure that I’m fully prepared for it."

Lotus F1 Team's deputy Team Principal, Federico Gastaldi, has earmarked Palmer to participate in several practice sessions this season and welcomes the opportunity to sample the young Brit's abundant talent.

"Jolyon is a crucial part of the team for this season so it was important for us to see him in the car over the course of a Grand Prix weekend early in the year. Now we can start exercising some of Jolyon’s talents in the FP1 session and we’ll see him out in action quite a few times over the course of the season.”

Click here for Chris Medland's Chinese Grand Prix preview.

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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.