Sainz uncomfortable being 'against' Red Bull chiefs

©WRI2

Carlos Sainz admits the recent confusion surrounding comments about his F1 future created a very uneasy situation with Red Bull's top brass.

Before the Austrian GP last month, the Spaniard said he did not expect to remain with the Red Bull stable next season, a comment quickly denied by Red Bull's Christian Horner, citing an option on Sainz's services picked up by the energy drinks company.

In hindsight, Sainz recognises that his comments simply reflected his "sheer ambition".

"I have my opinion and I said it in that very moment," he said.

"Maybe I could have used a different wording. It is not something that I enjoyed, seeing Helmut and Christian going against me, but it sometimes happens in a Formula 1 career.

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"From my side there is nothing else than sheer ambition, and sometimes in the heat of ambition you say things. But that is me. I have targets and objectives. It should be over – so turn the page."

The 22-year-old isn't giving up however on his ambitions to move up from Toro Rosso.

"It is my one and only target to be a Red Bull driver in the future," he added. "That is what I want, and that is what I have said a hundred times before.

"And if one answer said in the heat of the moment is spinning out of control – that is just modern times."

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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.