Gasly endures 'uncomfortable seat' in race debut

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Pierre Gasly completed his successful F1 debut by reaching the checkered flag at the end of the Malaysia GP but it was painful ride for the Toro Rosso rookie.

The 21-year-old, who is replacing Dany Kvyat at the junior Red Bull team for a yet to be determined number of races, had to compose with an uncomfortable seat in his STR12.

While he was happy with his race debut, Gasly lamented the back pain he endured throughout the afternoon.

"With the seat, I'm not supported enough. It's not ideal but it's more like I didn't feel fully comfortable," he told Motorsport.com.

"It was moving a lot from lap one, especially at high speed all race as well. I'm not inside the seat, I'm moving a lot and it's not ideal for my back.

"It feels like it's quite painful so we have planned already to do a new one for next weekend. I think with the seat we will definitely do a new one in Suzuka."

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The French driver believes he performed better than expected but admitted is lack of experience inevitably impacted his result.

"I think that was a positive race it was important to take experience and to finish the race," he said.

"Looking back at it there are many things I would do differently. Some situations with the blue flags and tyre management.

"I think we pitted slightly early. Of course as a racing driver you want to push so I went out of the [pit] box and tried to push to undercut the others but I paid it a bit in the end.

"A few things that will come with experience but I've tried to push as hard as possible without doing mistakes and it was a positive weekend overall."

Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost believed the team's new recruit acquitted himself quite well and is looking forward to seeing him perform in Japan next week.

"Pierre did a fantastic job again today – this was his first weekend with the team and he performed very well," said Tost.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him race again in Suzuka because it's a race track he knows from the Japanese Super Formula championship."

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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.