A salute to Switzerland's most popular F1 journeyman

Born on this day in 1951, Marc Surer is one of the 31 drivers hailing from Switzerland who competed in Formula 1 over the years.

From his debut in the sport in 1979 to his final F1 race in 1986, Surer enjoyed 81 Grand Prix starts. However, he never achieved a podium finish.

The Swiss driver started his career in 1979, driving an Ensign in the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. He then went on to race for ATS , Theodore Racing and Brabham, but his longest stint with a team was a three-year spell with Arrows from 1982 to 1984.

A competent driver who had enjoyed great success in motorsport's junior formula, Surer was dealt a couple of bad blows as he struggled with uncompetitive machinery.

In 1986, a rally crash in Germany with a Ford RS2000 severely injured the Swiss and killed his co-driver, ending his career at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Surer is still a regular visitor to the F1 paddock however, working as a commentator for Sky Sport Germany.

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.