Grosjean: 'Nice to see I still know how to drive'

©WRI

After struggling for the better part of the current season, Haas' Romain Grosjean felt a bit vindicated by his impressive sixth-place qualifying result achieved in Austria on Saturday.

The Frenchman enjoyed a clean session, running consistently at the top of the mid-field in a Haas that looked equally balanced and fast, and out-qualifying team mate Kevin Magnussen for the third time this year.

"It was a really good qualifying. We produced some good setup work on the car and we’ve built our pace through the weekend," he said.

"I’m very happy we could get into Q3 using only one set (of tyres) in Q2. It meant we could have more fun and play around in Q3.

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"I was happy with the car. It all went very well, and the balance was great. I was hoping we’d stay in P4. I was thinking, ‘Come on, that can stay there.’

"The truth is that other teams are faster, but I’m very proud to be in between the two Red Bulls, and I’m happy that Kevin is P8," he added.

"We’ve got both cars in the top-10 for the race tomorrow and, hopefully, we get some points."

Grosjean's year has been a eventful story of bad luck and mishaps capped off by zero championship points. His performance on Saturday went a long way towards restoring a confidence that appeared fractured at one point.

"I'm very happy but obviously I what tomorrow to go well," he insisted.

"it's nice to see I'm still on my feet and I still know how to drive and I can produce good results, and that things can go smoothly.

"Whenever there's a bad spiral it's really hard to stop it, so I'm glad we've done that and I just want tomorrow to well so we can restart on a positive and build from 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.