"You're always going to have problems with a genius"

©HOCHZWEI/Ronco

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©HOCHZWEI/Ronco

Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman was born on this day in 1928 in London.

The great designer and brilliant engineer founded Lotus Cars and is often heralded as Formula 1's greatest innovator.

In the words of the great Mario Andretti, who won the F1 world championship with Chapman in 1978: "Working with Chapman was no trip to Paris but I guess you're always going to have problems with a genius, right? He was such a maverick."

As massive as his F1 technical legacy is perceived to be, perhaps Chapman's greatest transformative initiative in his career was to bring commercial sponsorship into motorsport, a change that would eventually transform Grand Prix racing from a rich gentleman's pastime to a hugely successful high technology enterprise and billion dollar business.

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.