Hulkenberg oblivious to 'team leader' status suggestions

Nico Hulkenberg is writing off suggestions that he is the de facto team leader at Renault this season.

On the eve of his seventh year of Grand Prix racing and his first with a full works team after stints with Williams, Sauber and Force India, Hulkenberg is perceived as the natural leader and galvanizer at Renault given his experience compared to team mate Jolyon Palmer.

But the German says he is indifferent to the label, preferring to focus on the job at hand and building Renault and his own successful future.

"To be honest that's not so important," he told Racer's Chris Medland.

"I think that's something that gets emphasised by the media, to lead the team. What does it mean, to lead the team?

Renault wants long-term iconic partnership with Hulkenberg

"You want to be in front, you want to beat your team-mate. If you lead or not, it doesn't matter."

"It's more important for me to help the team, to bring it forward, to develop it and then later on to develop for me.

"That also means I have to beat my team–mate whoever that will be, both this year and beyond.

But I'm not too fussed about the leader thing – I'm going to do my job and whoever is next to me is not really that important to me."

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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.