Renault boys happy to be back in the mid-field mix

©WRI

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Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz both bounced back on Saturday from a difficult start to their Canadian Grand Prix weekend, each securing a spot among the top ten on Sunday's grid.

Nico Hulkenberg ended qualifying as 'best of the rest', the German clocking in with the seventh fastest time but with the feeling he may have left a few tenths on the table.

"I’m satisfied with that today," said the Hulk.

"I felt a little on the back foot heading into qualifying due to the lack of running yesterday, but I’ve been confident in the car all weekend.

"I think we did the best we could in terms of position. There was probably more in me and a couple more tenths out there to extract in Q3.

"We have the top speed and a generally good package with the high fuel runs yesterday, so we’ll be there to fight and pick up positions tomorrow."

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Carlos Sainz was just two tenths adrift from his team mate, a performance that we see him line up ninth on Sunday's grid. On Friday, despite the day's setbacks, the Spaniard felt the team had a firm grasp on the R.S.18's baseline set-up, and that proved to be true Saturday afternoon.

"I’m quite happy with how things have gone today," said Sainz.

"This Q3 is definitely thanks to all our mechanics for sorting the car out and completing an amazing change on my turbo to help me get out in qualifying.

"It was a great job by the whole team. For tomorrow we have good pace but it’ll be a tough race, especially starting on the Hypersoft tyre, but we’ll be pushing flat out to have both cars in the top ten."

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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.