Race and classic pictures

The day Vittorio Brambilla was left laughing in the rain

Vittorio Brambilla's single Grand Prix win, achieved on this day in 1975, was a unique feat in the history of F1, not least because he celebrated his triumph by crashing on the finish line.

Conditions at the Austrian GP that year were so appalling that organizers were implored by the teams to stop the race a little after the half-way mark.

Ferrari's Niki Lauda was an early leader but a battle behind between James Hunt's McLaren and Brambilla's March eventually saw the Italian splash his way to victory in the shortened event.

Overcome with joy, the 'Monza Gorilla' as he was known, due to his often overly aggressive driving, threw his hands up in the air as he approached the checkered flag, and promptly lost control of his car and crashed into the pitwall!

Brambilla recovered and even managed a victory lap, the March's front end in tatters but its driver laughing in the rain!

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.