Sainz ready to hit the ground running in Austin!

Carlos Sainz, Renault's new recruit, will spring into action a few months early with the French outfit in Austin next week.

After almost three years with Toro Rosso, the 23-year-old gets a change of scenery and a head start on 2018.

"I’m very excited to joining the team and I hope to hit the ground running," Sainz said ahead of his debut with Renault.

"We have some hard work ahead of us going into Austin with lots of things to learn and many people to meet.

"I’m going to give everything to be on the pace as soon as possible even though I know it can take a bit of time to adapt, but I’m confident we can do it."

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Sainz will obviously require a period of adaptation as he gets acquainted with the team and his crew. But the bigger the challenge, the bigger the motivation for the highly rated Spaniard.

"It’s key to have this immediate taste with Renault and get to know the people and the car," he adds.

"It’s a big challenge, but it motivates me. We have this last push for the season and I have to find where the limit of the car is, get used to the steering wheel, things like that.

"That’s the procedure and I will embrace the challenge. It’s good to see the people at Enstone putting the work in to get back to the top.

"They can be sure all the effort being put in is being matched on my side of things and I will be pushing flat out to help the team."

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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.