Hulkenberg to Renault: 'Keep that development coming!'

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Nico Hulkenberg is urging Renault to keep on pushing after a productive Belgian GP weekend which saw the German's finish sixth.

Both Hulkenberg and Jolyon Palmer were consistently at the front of the mid-field battle in Spa, a performance which attests to the improved performance level of Renault's RS17.

The German driver obviously benefited from Max Verstappen's retirement to achieve his top-6 finish, but taking advantage of others misfortunes is also part of the game.

"Obviously we gained that position with a DNF, but these are the days when youhave to be there, and you have to make it stick as well.

"I'm happy and positively surprised, to be honest. Fourth best team with my car pace once again, so pretty good."

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Renault's major upgrade which appeared at Silverstone has undoubtedly boosted the French team's prospects, but Hulkenberg is looking for even more improvement as Renault attempts to inches closer to the front-running Mercedes-Ferrari-Red Bull trio.

"It's given me good confidence," said the Hulk.

"I think we can't afford to stop working, we need to keep on making steps and improvements, because I'm sure the others are pushing still.

"And looking ahead to the future, we want to close the gap to the top three teams.

"We need to keep that development coming, it's very crucial for us. I'm not so sure about Monza, but after then I think we can have a couple of really good ones."

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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.