Magnussen praises 'a great bunch of people'

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Kevin Magnussen's last race with Renault ended after just five in Abu Dhabi after the Dane was hit from behind and had to call it a day with a broken suspension on his RS16.

Despite a disappointing end to his year with Renault, Magnussen was full of praise for the French outfit and the group he worked with in 2016.

"It wasn’t the way I wanted to end what I thought was a good season with a great bunch of people," said the Dane.

"Results-wise it hasn’t been the best but I’ve learned a lot, I’ve had a great time with the team and I got to know a lot of really good people.

"I wish Renault Sport all the best in the future and I’m sure we’ll all still have fun in the paddock."

Magnussen is now keen to get down to work with his new team, Haas, an outfit which he views as "simple and straightforward".

"They are simple in their structure and management," he told Ekstra Bladet newspaper. "They are very open, honest and straightforward, which I like."

Magnussen denied signing on with US team was a step back after rejecting Renault's offer to remain with the yellow squad.

"I do not think it is a step backwards. In F1, it is important to be in a factory team. But if it doesn't perform, you can't perform.

"I think the guys at Williams and Force India for example should be quite happy, because they get good results and have good careers. They still have opportunities to reach world championship teams."

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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.