Williams rues lost opportunity for more points in Baku

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Williams tech chief Paddy Lowe had mixed feelings after yesterday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, believing the Grove-based outfit could have left Baku with more points than it achieved.

Lance Stroll delivered a good P8 finish to the British team, but Sergey Sirotkin's premature exit from the race on the opening lap clearly deprived Williams of an opportunity for extra points.

"It was very disappointing to lose Sergey at the start after a coming together with Alonso and Hulkenberg put an early finish to his race," said Lowe.

"As usual, we had a highly eventful afternoon with lots of incidents right to the very end, so it was great to get eighth position with Lance.

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"I’m happy in one way but disappointed in another, because I think there were many more points possible for us today.

"Even so, it was a great drive by Lance, all weekend in fact. He kept the car in one piece which is actually one of the key things at this circuit.

"It is great to get our first points on the board this season and we need to keep this momentum going."

Stroll did indeed skillfully keep himself out of trouble in Baku. But the 19-year-old Canadian believes he should have put in an extra effort to fend off Fernando Alonso in the closing stages of the race.

"It was a crazy race. So much happened. I am pretty happy with the race, there were perhaps one or two more positions if we did everything perfectly, but no one had a perfect race today," he said;

"In that battle with Fernando at the end I think I should have held him there, but he surprised me into turn three.

"I didn't really see him coming back on the inside and he just managed to sneak through, but that was probably the only little bit we missed today.

"All in all, I am happy with P8 and it was a good race for the team. We can't assume this pace will carry on to Barcelona, we have to understand our issues and keep working but that is just what we are doing."

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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.