Leclerc ends Sochi weekend as king of the midfield!

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On the face of it, it was a relatively lonely Sunday drive for Charles Leclerc, but one which yielded another outstanding result for the Monegasque and Sauber.

Leclerc's day began with a blistering start from P7 that put him ahead of both Kevin Magnussen and Esteban Ocon who had preceded him on the grid.

The 20-year-old Ferrari-bound driver admitted he had taken a few risks at the outset, but they handsomely paid off and nicely set up his race for the rest of the afternoon.

"It has been an amazing race today," he enthused. "It was very good that I could get past Esteban and Kevin very quickly because then we knew it would be very difficult to overtake on this track.

"To be in front of them was a huge advantage. They straight away lost quite a bit by being behind and they couldn't really follow."

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A highlight of Leclerc's race to seventh overall was his bold overtake on the outside of the usually uncompromising Magnussen, a maneuver that reflected the Sauber's efficiency just as much as its driver's temerity and confidence.

"it was a great overtake, and Kevin stayed fair also, it was good to see," said Leclerc.

"To score such a result for the first time this season feels amazing, and is a good reward for all of the hard work we put in week after week.

"I am glad to have scored some more points and can’t wait for the next race in Japan."

Sauber team boss was equally delighted with his outfit's result in Sochi which clearly validates the Swiss outfit's continued progress.

"It was a great event for us. We had good starting positions, and both drivers did a consistent job throughout the race," said the Frenchman.

"Charles showed some impressive overtakes in the opening laps of the race, and delivered when it was important. He was strong in managing his tyres and overall had a very strong race.

"It is a good sign for us as a team to have one of our cars finish in 7th place in a smooth race. We have to continue pushing and we will see what is possible in Japan."

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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.