Sainz remains mum on Renault move

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Carlos Sainz isn't revealing anything about his immediate future, if one assumes the unofficial reports of his impending move to Renault aren't fake news.

The Spaniard has allegedly signed an agreement to race for the French team in 2018, with rumors suggesting that he may even race a yellow car as soon as Malaysia in a few weeks.

If so, Sainz would replace Jolyon Palmer at Renault, with Red Bull protégé and rookie Pierre Gasly slotted in at Toro Rosso.

Carlos Jr. isn't giving anything away however on what may or may not have transpired in the past week.

"Red Bull does its best for my career and so whatever they decide, I will accept it," he told Marca sports newspaper during a sponsor event at the weekend.

Sainz in shock move to Renault for Malaysia!

"It is difficult for me because what I say may please one person and displease another, so I prefer to say nothing.

"All I know is that there are many people in Toro Rosso that I want to thank for making me the driver I am today.

"I think for the sake of the teams involved, they are going to have to decide sooner rather than later, because (preparation for) 2018 is already here," Sainz told the EFE news agency.

Germany's Auto Bild claimed to offer some insight into the negotiations between Red Bull and Renault.

It revealed that the French manufacturer had agreed to pay the energy drink company EUR 8 million to free Sainz of his contractual obligations with Red Bull, adding that the driver had already done a seat fitting at Enstone last week.

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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.