Gelael gets FP1 nod with Toro Rosso for Austin

Sean Gelael will enjoy his first Formula 1 practice run-out of the season during FP1 for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas this weekend.

Gelael, 21, made four FP1 appearances with Toro Rosso last year, and tested for the team in both Spain and Hungary earlier this year.

The Formula 2 racer will enjoy his first official F1 weekend running of 2018 in Austin on Friday, continuing his development work with the team.

"I am super happy and excited to get things rolling again. I did FP1 in Austin last year so it's a track that I know, even though it was a bit damp last year,” Gelael said.

“The last time I was in the car was for the Budapest test, so I'm looking forward to working with the team again, hopefully they're excited as well.

“The form Toro Rosso is in after Japan is quite strong, so hopefully we can keep this momentum going.”

Toro Rosso introduced an updated power unit over the Russian Grand Prix weekend before giving the ‘Spec 3’ engine its first race run in Japan two weeks ago, yielding encouraging feedback from race drivers Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley.

Toro Rosso sits eighth in the constructors’ championship heading into the final four races of the season, three points clear of Sauber in ninth.