The Prancing Horses are let out of the gate

On this day in 1950, Scuderia Ferrari made its debut in the Formula 1 World Championship, entering the Monaco Grand Prix with Alberto Ascari, Luigi Villoresi and Raymond Sommer.

Ascari, who finished second in the Principality to Juan Manuel Fangio's Alfa Romeo, is scene here leading team mate Villoresi through the Station hairpin, the pair driving the 1.5-litre supercharged V12 Ferrari 125.

The race was also, by the way, Fangio's first Grand Prix win.

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.