Williams rolls out the six-wheeler

40

It's celebration day for Williams as the iconic British Grand Prix team commemorates its 40 years in Formula 1 with a day of festivities at Silverstone.

The team is wheeling out a huge number of cars and many Williams drivers, past and present, will be on hand to display and demonstrate the outfit's extraordinary heritage.

In 1982, Williams took a different approach to the six-wheel concept than had been pioneered by Tyrrell a few years earlier.

The added wheels at the rear of the FW08B - which was based on Williams' previous exercise on the theme, the FW07D - brought increased traction but also a huge amount of extra weight.

The six-wheel design also enjoyed another unexpected feature: in wet conditions slick tyres could be used on the rearmost axle because the road those wheels were running on was swept sufficiently clear of water by the tyres in front!

Ultimately however, the FIA had the last word and banned the car for 1983.

Apparently, some very competitive times were set in testing with Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg and Jonathan Palmer. Just how fast it would have been remains a mystery.

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.