A salute to Elio, F1's true Roman Prince

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Italian F1 racer Elio de Angelis was born on this day in 1958.

The son of a wealthy Roman businessman, Elio was a refined and highly cultured young man which was a rather unusual profile for an F1 driver at the time.

Charming and genuine, he was as gifted behind the wheel of a racing car as he was sitting at a Steinway piano playing Mozart.

His family's financial backing brought him into Formula 1 but his unquestionable talent kept him there, the Italian collecting two Grand Prix wins with Lotus before his tragic death while testing the low-line Brabham (pictured hereunder) at Paul Ricard in 1986.

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.