Vasseur praises Renault progress

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Former Renault team boss Frederic Vasseur believes his former outfit is on the right track for 2017.

While the French manufacture only scored points in last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, the team's relative performance compared with last season sees it fight in the tight mid-field, with more potential to extract.

"In pure performance, they are there, and Nico (Hulkenberg) is the perfect driver for a renaissance team," Vasseur told French daily l'Equipe.

Indeed, it was Vasseur who selected German Hulkenberg for 2017 and beyond, even if he himself decided to leave Renault amid internal political hassles.

Asked if he felt frustrated now to be left with only his Formula 2 team ART to look after, Vasseur denied that was the case.

"Not at all. There is zero frustration," he insisted.

"Ok, I worked damn hard last year, as the whole team did, to build something good, and I will not be there when the results come. But I'm a big boy and I made my decision on my own."

Renault's striking vision for tomorrow's Formula 1

The French team manager said he has no regrets about leaving Renault, even as he looks in envy at the new-spec faster cars.

"No, what I like is competition, not the car, and the public wants a fight, not a performance," said Vasseur.

But he did admit that the Mercedes versus Ferrari battle looks set to be exciting this year.

"On that I agree," he said.

"It's nice to turn on the TV on a Sunday without knowing the winner in advance, and it was a long time since we've had two teams, with two world champions, fighting for victories."

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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.