When the chips fell the wrong way for Reutemann in Vegas

The parking lot of the Caesar's Palace Casino in Las Vegas hardly appeared to be the appropriate venue for a dramatic F1 championship showdown, but the promoters of the gambling capital of the world had drummed-up the absurd idea, and Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was game, quite literally .

On this day in 1981, the Las Vegas Grand Prix was a title-decider between three drivers: clear favorite Carlos Reutemann for Williams, Brabham's Nelson Piquet and Ligier's Jacques Laffite.

Reutemann reminded everyone who was in charge for securing pole in qualifying. But it all fell apart for the moody Argentine on Sunday when he was defeated by a recalcitrant gearbox and Williams team mate Alan Jones.

Ultimately, Reutemann finished a distant 8th and Piquet clinched the title by a single point!

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.