Race and classic pictures

Like staring down the barrel of a canon!

Ahead of Formula 1's return to action at Spa-Francorchamps this week, we hark back to the 1970 Belgian GPs, when the words 'Motor Racing Is Dangerous' were printed on spectators' tickets, but strangely not on the media's track passes.

One casts an astonished eye at this picture from the 1970 Belgian Grand Prix.

Photographers seem quite unbothered by the prospect of a driver locking up and heading straight past Spa's La Source hairpin and head on towards their congregation.

Fortunately, Romain Grosjean wasn't racing back then...

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.