Force India's Nico Hulkenberg will be looking for another points-scoring finish in Bahrain this weekend, although his ambition will be to better his Melbourne result.

The 'Hulk' drove a consistent and solid race around Albert Park but the event's red flag threw a spanner into the team's strategy, the German believing that a better result than seventh could have been achieved.

"We've started the season in the right way by getting some points on the board, even though we had the potential to come away from Australia with many more.

"The red flag came out at the worst possible moment for our strategy and that cost us some positions, but we still managed to fight back and come away with an important seventh place: I am happy with that.

Hulkenberg's best result in Bahrain was a fifth place finish obtained in 2014, and that's probably the minimum level he'll be aiming for in the second race of 2016.

"Next up is Bahrain, which is a special place. As a circuit, it's very different to Melbourne: it's not bumpy at all; it's very smooth and it's full of slow corners.

"There are a several overtaking spots and the whole track, with long straights and big braking zones, makes for some great wheel-to-wheel racing.

"It's a track that rewards attacking, so hopefully we will see lots of action in the race. And of course, it's a night race so the atmosphere of the whole event is very different!

"One of my favourite things about Bahrain is the paddock. It looks like it’s straight out of 'One Thousand and One Nights', with the lights and buildings all adding to the atmosphere. It's one of my favourite events of the season.

"We will arrive there in a good place and we have the potential to get another strong result."

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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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