Bruce puts win #1 on McLaren's books

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In the midst of McLaren 1000th Grand Prix celebrations, we hark back to this day in 1968, when Bruce McLaren himself won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, giving his eponymous team the first of its current 203 wins in the Formula 1 World Championship.

The Kiwi was a deserving winner but was handed the victory on the penultimate lap of the race when a fuel miscalculation forced Matra's Jackie Stewart to coast into the pits for a late splash and dash.

Completing the podium were BRM's Pedro Rodriguez and local hero Jacky Ickx driving for Ferrari.

The win was also Bruce McLaren's fourth and final Grand Prix victory, and his first triumph in F1 in six years.

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.