Renault's Stoll: Hulkenberg a perfect fit

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Renault Sport Racing chairman Jerome Stoll believes new recruit Nico Hulkenberg is a perfect fit for the French team as it seeks to move up the order in 2017.

While the German, who started his Formula 1 career with Williams in 2010, has yet to score his first podium, his reputation as a consistent and solid racer appealed to Renault and to its longer-term ambitions of returning to the winners' circle.

Hulkenberg was successful in every category of racing as he climbed the latter to F1, winning the title in GP2 in his first year.

He also achieved victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche in 2015 while his greatest performance in F1 was clinching pole for the Brazilian Grand Prix in 201.

"This year will be the second season of Groupe Renault’s return as a manufacturer entry in Formula 1 and the next step in our journey.

"Last season was about putting the foundations in place for future success. For our next step we required an experienced driver who is still hungry for podiums.

"Nico Hülkenberg fulfils this role perfectly and is an excellent complement to what we want to achieve. He is a highly talented, dedicated and motivated driver."

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Hulkenberg's talent and experience will indeed provide Renault with a valuable asset to help build its future.

"Nico will enable us to harness all the hard work completed last season and translate it to improved results on the track in 2017 and beyond," concluded Stoll.

"We look forward to seeing him in our new car for 2017."

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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.