Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsRenault

Renault team boss Vasseur happy with drivers' performance

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New Renault boss Frédéric Vasseur says that he is satisfied the both his drivers' level of performance following the 2016 season opener race in Melbourne.

Both rookie Jolyon Palmer and Kevin Magnussen enjoyed very different races in Australia, with the Dane's event hampered by a first lap puncture, but the pair finished together just outside the top ten.

Speaking to French daily L'Equipe, Vasseur praised both men for their consistency and for reaching the checkered flag.

"I am equal to both drivers," said Vasseur

"We chose them. They won in the junior championships.

"In Australia, both of them were successful. I'm happy with the way Jolyon had his debut grand prix, and the same can be said about the job from Kevin in the second stint of the race after the puncture.

"If after the tests you had told me Renault would go at the same pace as McLaren and Force India, I would have voted for it with both hands."

As the founder or ART who has seen and helped so many drivers move up the ranks, Vasseur was asked how he felt about his own new job and its subsequent workload.

"Compared to before? I do not see any difference. Wherever you are, you always want to win. In the past year, working DTM, GP2 and Formula E, I had 26 race weekends. This year, it is only 21!"

Australian Grand Prix - Quotes of the weekend

Australian Grand Prix - Driver ratings

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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.