Grand Marshal Mark Webber greets a special guest

There was a lot of 'grit' yesterday on the Le Mans grid before the start of the great endurance classic.

The race's Grand Marshal, Mr Aussie Grit himself Mark Webber spared a moment to chat with the brave and valorous Billy Monger, who lost his legs in a horrendous F4 crash just a few months ago.

The 18-year-old has harnessed his courage and pushed adversity aside as he now sets his sights on racing once again.

Where? At Le Mans, with quadruple amputee and Le Mans racer Frederic Sausset. The Frenchman is setting up an ambitious project to put three disabled drivers on the grid in 2020!

"It was unbelievable that Fred reached out to me after my accident and asked me to be involved in his plan to get disabled people involved in motorsport at the top level," Monger told Autosport.

"I definitely want to be out racing again. My priority is to get track time in a car and continue my physical work to return to full fitness."

That's the spirit Billy!

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.