Sainz impact at Renault straightaway positive - Hulkenberg

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Nico Hulkenberg says Carlos Sainz's arrival at Renault has already had a beneficial impact on the French outfit, with more to come.

Sainz switched from Toro Rosso to Renault after the Japanese Grand Prix and rewarded himself and his new team with a run in to the points in Austin.

Hulkenberg believes the Spaniard is a welcome addition and will offer a valuable contribution to help the team move up the ranks.

"It will have a dramatic impact on my Spanish!" the German driver joked in an interview with Formula 1's official website.

"The Spanish lessons are welcome and we are moving in the right direction. On top of that he is a young, aspiring and quick driver.

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"He is fast and has straightaway had a positive impact on the team. We are pushing each other, so this is all very positive for the team – and its future.

"It’s cool working with him and so far we have a good relationship."

Renault is locked in a tight mid-field battle for sixth in the Constructors' standings, surrounded by Toro Rosso in front and Haas just one point behind.

But Hulkenberg will be focused on achieving the best possible result in the last two races of the season, with the championship working itself out thereafter.

"For the moment we need to forget a bit about the constructors’ championship and take it race weekend by race weekend," he says.

"At these two remaining race weekends we have to maximise what we have and also, very importantly, see the chequered flag – simply to finish the race and get results and data, data, data!

"But sure, Mexico has taken away a very good chance of finishing in P5. That’s even more disappointing given both our qualifying results there.

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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.