Hulkenberg: Podium target ambitious but achievable

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Renault Sport president Jerome Stoll is expecting a podium finish this season, setting a high bar for the French outfit but one Nico Hulkenberg does not necessarily disagree with.

At the team's launch in London today, Renault unveiled its impressive RS17 with which it hopes to move up the grid and while Stoll's targets are ambitious, Hulkenberg agrees with aiming high.

"Yeah, I do agree with that," Hulkenberg told ESPN.

"It's ambitious because there are a lot of competitive and good teams out there that will aim for the same thing, so it's definitely a big challenge ahead of us.

"But Renault is a big name and a big group and have been winning championships in the past and that's where they want to climb back to, so we have to start working here."

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Asked whether he felt the might of a global constructor behind the team's efforts compared to a non-manufacturer outfit such as Force India, the German driver said he did.

"It does feel different. You do feel the power that a manufacture has, it's bigger, more resources in the factory and a lot of building going on.

"You can see the investment they are putting in recruiting people, so I can feel that they are hungry and want to get back to the front, so that's a good and encouraging feeling for myself because I'm looking for the same thing.

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"I think we are both looking towards the same thing, so hopefully we can build that story nicely."

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.