Jerome Stoll will remain president of Renault Sport

Jerome Stoll will remain in charge of Renault Sport this year following the departure from the French company of his planned successor, Thierry Koskas.

Last November, Renault announced that Stoll would hand over the reins of the company's sporting division to Koskas, an executive vice-president of sales and marketing, on January 1.

"Jerome Stoll will continue in his role as President of Renault Sport Racing following the departure of Thierry Koskas from Groupe Renault," the company said in a statement.

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Renault did not reveal why Koskas had departed the company. The turn of events could however be linked to the internal disruption that has set in at Renault-Nissan following the arrest of chief executive Carlos Ghosn, allegedly for financial crimes committed in Japan.

Ghosn has been detained in Tokyo since November 19 on suspicion of understating his salary for eight years to Japan's market regulators and for transferring personal investment losses to Nissan.

The 64-year-old Stoll has been with Renault since 1980, taking the helm of its sporting arm in 2016.

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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.