Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsToro Rosso

Time flies in F1 for Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz Jr. is hoping to put a sparkling finishing touch to his debut Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

In addition to learning the ropes of Grand Prix racing, the 21-year-old Toro Rosso driver has been up against some tough competition this year in the person of his prodigious teammate Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman may have racked up more points than the Spaniard but there hasn't been much in terms of raw speed between the two junior bulls, while Sainz's race results also suffered from a string of DNFs linked to poor luck and mechanical failures.

As he looks back on his 2015 travels Sainz refrains from self-congratulation, but still beams of joy for being awarded the privilege to race amongst the best drivers in the world.

"It's unbelievable how quickly my first season in Formula 1 has gone by," Sainz said.

"I still remember this time last year as if it was yesterday... It was a very special moment in my career too as, after the 2014 Abu Dhabi test with our friends at Infiniti Red Bull Racing, I was confirmed as a Scuderia Toro Rosso driver! It will now be good to go back there and race..."

He recalls the highlights of a year he hopes to wrap up on a high.

"I look back and have some very good memories: scoring my first ever F1 points in my first race in Australia; qualifying in P5 in front of my home crowd in Barcelona; racing from pits to points in Monaco..."

Sainz also recollects the difficult moments of the year which served the purpose of building his experience and character.

"Okay, then there's been a bit of an unlucky streak, but we were able to overcome that and I've had some more good races lately, like Austin for example.

"I've learned so, so much this year that I can be sure I've become a better driver and I can use this experience to grow even more. This year was all about gaining experience, and that's what we've done!"

Unfinished business: the scores still to be settled in Abu Dhabi

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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.