Sainz flattered by Renault interest

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Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz addressed the rumors of the courting of his services by Renault in Malaysia today, but reaffirmed his commitment to present employer Red Bull.

It is believed that Renault approached Sainz with an offer to join the French squad in 2017, but Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost made clear earlier this week that such a prospect appeared highly unlikely given Red Bull's vested interest in the Spanish driver.

Sainz, who neither fully denied or confirmed the rumors, said that he was flattered by the interest.

"If there is some discussion going on, then there has been some interest and contacts, which for me is an honour that a manufacturer team is worried about me and wants to know my contractual situation," Sainz explained.

"As you know, more or less what is going on with Red Bull they guide your career, they paid for 5 years of my junior series, which is millions of euros and I perfectly understand they don’t want to let me go having spent so much money on me and me being in the best moment of my career and then just let me go.

Sainz said his objective in the short term was performing to the best of his ability in the last six races of the season while reiterating his longer term ambition of winning the world championship.

"I don’t want to think about my future when there are 6 important races coming, and because it is not my job to be involved but it is more up to Helmut Marko and my management to sort out that stuff.

"At the moment I have full trust in Toro Rosso that they are going to produce a good chassis for next year because if there was any doubt, Singapore proved Toro Rosso is probably the third or fourth best chassis on the grid.

"As for Renault, I don’t have enough information that they are going to perform next year or if it is going to take 2 years or 3 years.

"My main target and objective is to be fighting for the world championship in 2018 and hopefully that will be with Red Bull.

"That is my main target and I know it is very difficult but the only thing I want is for that to happen and I need to find the shortest way to that point."

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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.