'Sainz? Young, wild and certainly fast,' says Hulkenberg

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Nico Hulkenberg will wait before judging his new Renault team mate Carlos Sainz, but the German already knows that he is "certainly fast".

Sainz moves to the French outfit as soon as next week after almost three seasons with Toro Rosso.

Although their levels of experience differ, the highly rated Spaniard and Hulkenberg do have one thing in common: neither driver has yet scored a podium finish in F1.

Beating Hulkenberg a big challenge, admits Sainz

The Hulk confesses that he doesn't know much about the man who will be sitting on the other side of the Renault garage next year.

"I only know him from the paddock," Hulkenberg told Auto Motor und Sport.

"He is an ambitious driver, somewhat young and wild but certainly fast."

The 30-year-old, who has scored 34 of Renault's 42 points this year, isn't particularly worried by the challenge posed by Sainz, believing the Spaniard's change of scenery, in itself, won't be easy for him.

"It’s okay. I will continue do to my own thing. Of course you always need a certain period of familiarisation. We must wait."

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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.