Sainz denies 'cleaning up' image for Renault

For his maiden race with Renault last weekend in Austin, Carlos Sainz showed up sporting a fresh clean-cut look but denied the change had anything to do with his new employer.

Scruffy hair, stubble and a backwards-worn cap were often the norm for the Spaniard when he was racing with Toro Rosso.

But as a works Renault driver, the 23-year-old appears to have cleaned up his appearance although he says it has nothing to do with adhering to any sort of corporate standard.

"No, I shave every Thursday," he laughingly said in Mexico .

Carlos Sainz has filled a void at Renault - Prost

"I get my hair cut when I get my hair cut, but because I wear a cap, very few people notice.

"The fact is that negotiations about which cap I will wear - Renault or Red Bull - are still going on. So I think when you wear a cap, you can spend less time in front of the mirror?" he added.

Sainz was more interested in talking about his maiden outing with Renault which yielded an impressive P7 finish in Austin and the praise of the team's prestigious special adviser, four-time world champion Alain Prost.

"I know they are happy with the first race so I want to keep this level now," said Sainz.

"Alain Prost is a legend of the sport but also many drivers congratulated me because nobody knows better how hard it is to change teams," he added.

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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.