Gasly sets the record straight with Marko

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GP2 racer and Toro Rosso hopeful Pierre Gasly has cleared the air with his boss Helmut Marko regarding an apparent confusion over comments the Frenchman had allegedly made regarding his future with the Faenza-based outfit.

On the run-up to last weekend's Italian Grand Prix, a story was making the rounds claiming that Gasly was set to replace the struggling Daniil Kvyat.

Initially thought to have been fueled by Gasly himself on the basis of an interview with Spanish TV, the rumors were quickly denied by Toro Rosso while Gasly said his words had been misinterpreted and taken out of context.

"During the interview, they told me: ‘Some rumours claim that you will be driving in Singapore’," Gasly explained to Motorsport.com.

"When they said this, I replied ‘Will I? Really? Let’s hope it’s true. I must see with Helmut what they have decided’.

"Then, during the interview, I just told them that I was hoping to get to F1 as early as possible and doing my best. That really is what I want for next year, that’s my goal.

"Based on these words, someone claimed that I had said I was going to replace Daniil in Singapore. Yet, I never said that, it never happened.

"It created a whole controversy and it wasn’t necessarily very nice, because those people claimed that I had said things that I had never said, and that didn’t necessarily show me to my advantage.

"It’s sad to see that some people make up scoops like this, just to cause a stir. That’s how it is."

Marko subsequently asked Gasly to clear up and confusion directly with the media.

"He told me: ‘Call the journalist to get things straight, because it’s not good to have such rumours going around’," said Gasly.

"I got things straight with Helmut, but it shows that there are not only people who try to help drivers, others try to make me look like someone I’m not. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it is."

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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.