Sainz feels Renault power unit has made a 'step forward'

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Carlos Sainz has felt a change for the better this season from Renault's power unit, believing his new McLaren team now has something to "fight with".

Sainz has raced for three teams in the last three seasons but the common denominator has been the Renault engine, a fact that puts the Spaniard in a good position to judge the French unit's progress over the past 36 months.

"I feel a change, yes," said McLaren's new recruit. "I feel a step forward, a step in the right direction.

"I still think we are a bit behind the Ferrari and Mercedes engines, but it definitely feels like we have something to fight with now.

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"I’ve done four years in Formula 1, those four years have been 10km/h down on all the straights so finally be to turning up to Melbourne and being just two or three km/h down on the top teams is a really, really encouraging scenario.

"They seem to have clear ideas of how to develop the engine through the year.

"I would praise Renault in that sense because finally it seems they’ve done the step they were needing two years ago."

Ironically, Sainz early demise in the Australian Grand Prix was caused by an MGU-k failure on his Renault unit.

Works driver Nico Hulkenberg was onboard the only Renault-powered car that finished in the points in Melbourne.

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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.