Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsToro Rosso

Sainz boosted by home race

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Carlos Sainz will no doubt savour the experience of racing in front of his home crowd alongside fellow countrymen Fernando Alonso and Roberto Mehri this weekend in Barcelona, and make the most of the extra boost he will enjoy.

"The Spanish Grand Prix will always be the highlight of the year and the most special race of the season for me. I will have family and friends around and obviously, my first Formula 1 race on home soil will be something I will never forget."

The Toro Rosso youngster will be in familiar territory for the very first time in his young F1 career following a good start to the season in the first four fly-away races. Racing on home turf provides many benefits but won't dispense Sainz from working hard to achieve another good result.

"Barcelona is a track that we know very well, as we completed two of the three pre-season tests there, even though the track temperature will be much higher so the car balance will change completely. It will be challenging to see how much of a change there is between winter testing and May, but I’m really looking forward to the weekend ahead and it would be really nice to achieve a good result in front of my home crowd."

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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.