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Sainz responds to Marko's dire prediction for McLaren

McLaren's Carlos Sainz responded to Helmut Marko's prediction that the Woking-based outfit will be making up the rear this season.

Sainz's former Red Bull boss recently gave his two cents on what he sees as the pecking order following pre-season testing in Barcelona and ahead of next week's Australian Grand Prix.

Marko believes that Red Bull Racing is right behind Ferrari, but ahead of Mercedes, contends the mid-field will be tight and that McLaren will battle Williams at the back.

"I respect his predictions, but I know where we are, which is pretty much where we were last year," said Sainz, speaking at an event in Madrid organized by McLaren sponsor Estrella Galicia.

"I'm sure his numbers have led him to say that, so there's nothing to argue about.

"All I can say is that we did more laps than in any other year. To say whether we'll be sixth or ninth is impossible. But we are going to Australia better prepared than in previous years."

Assessing this year's tight mid-field pack, Sainz sees Haas as a possible dark horse.

"Last year I felt that Haas was ahead of the mid-field, and they could surprise. But the others are close, regardless of the simulations, and are hiding tenths."

Ultimately, Sainz is focused on where McLaren will end its season, not where it will start it.

"There was a lot of progress from the first week of testing to the second. We didn't bring anything new, we just optimized what we had," he added.

"The goal is to finish the year in a better position from where we start, not like last year where the team had to focus early on this year's car."

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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.

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