Richie Ginther: A man on the brink of F1 greatness

©TheCahierArchive

Richie Ginther was born on this day in 1930. A glance at the American F1 driver's career reveals just a single Grand Prix win, albeit a historic one.

Indeed, Ginther's personal milestone achieved at Mexico in 1965 delivered both Honda and Goodyear's first triumph in Formula 1.

But what the numbers will never disclose is that the small, freckle-faced Californian was a formidable opponent to the European aces during the 1960s and to fellow Americans Phil Hill and Dan Gurney.

The stats show no evidence of his outstanding skills as a development and test driver, and they offer no testimony to the fact that he was a pure "racer" at heart, inspired solely by a passion for the engineering and performance of the cars he drove, and indisposed to motor racing's ever increasing commercialism.

Richie Ginther's credentials may only show one Grand Prix win, but he achieved 14 podiums and scored 107 championship points and was considered by many to be on the brink of greatness before he lost his heart for the sport and, as a free spirit, faded away from racing.

©TheCahierArchive

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.