Hulkenberg aims for another points-scoring race in Canada

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Renault's Nico Hulkenberg made a welcome return to the top ten in Monaco and seeks to follow up that performance with another points-scoring drive in Canada.

The German driver enjoyed three successive runs into the points when the season got underway but then fell victim to a mistake in Azerbaijan and to circumstances in Spain.

A hard-fought eight place in Monte Carlo last weekend has hopefully put him back on the right track.

"We bounced back well after missing Q3 in Monaco, making the most of a reverse strategy for some good points in the race," explains the Hulk in Renault's Canadian Grand Prix preview.

"I think it was a bright weekend overall and important for the team to have both cars inside the top ten. Now we want to build on that by repeating it in Montréal, only slightly higher up the order!"

Montreal blends top speed with chassis balance, and Hulkenberg will be able to rely on a power unit upgrade to achieve the former and some good set-up work for the latter.

"Canada is about top speed and finding the right downforce balance," he confirms.

"There are a couple of long straights with hard braking zones at the end of them," he says.

"It’s probably one of the toughest circuits out there for brakes, and you need confidence to be able to stop at the same rate, lap after lap, especially when you’re trying to go deep into corners.

"Setting up the car to ride kerbs in Canada is also important to ensure a fast lap time."

At the end of the day however, it's all about race craft and making the most out of any opportunities that may come a drivers' way.

"Overtaking opportunities are fairly limited in Canada, but the final chicane is the best place to send one!" he says.

"In fact, it’s probably the place which can make or break a lap. Strategy could be interesting again, as we’ll be running the Hypersoft tyre, like in Monaco.

"There’ll be some options in that area, and lap times are likely to be very fast!"

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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.