Race and classic pictures

The man who put the Netherlands on the F1 map

He was certainly no Max Verstappen, but nobleman Carel Godin de Beaufort - born on this day in 1934 - was nevertheless a trail blazer in his own right.

In 2016, Max became the first driver hailing from the Netherlands to win an F1 Grand Prix, but Godin was the very first Dutchman to score a world championship point in F1.

A gentleman-driver, Godin ran his own cars - painted in a vibrant Dutch orange - under the Ecurie Maarsbergen banner. At the 1962 Dutch Grand Prix he put his private Porsche and his rather limited ability to good use around the dunes of Zandvoort.

In a race won by BRM's Graham Hill, Godin came in sixth and collected a championship 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.

Recent Posts

Antonelli visits ‘The Doctor’ at the Ranch

F1 world championship leader Kimi Antonelli made good use of his easter weekend to make…

14 minutes ago

Verstappen’s inner circle at Red Bull takes another hit

Fresh uncertainty appears to be brewing inside Red Bull Racing, with reports suggesting one of…

1 hour ago

Hamilton on silencing the critics: ‘I still have what it takes’

Three races into Ferrari’s 2026 campaign, Lewis Hamilton looks rejuvenated – his voice steadier, his…

2 hours ago

Mekies: ‘We all agree’ F1 must bring back flat-out qualifying

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has made it clear: Formula 1 must rediscover the…

3 hours ago

‘Rusty, me?’: Perez fires back at Andretti’s Cadillac claim

Sergio Perez isn’t taking lightly the suggestion that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac…

21 hours ago

Formula 1’s heartfelt gift to new dad Fernando Alonso

While Aston Martin’s F1 car is currently giving Fernando Alonso some massive engine vibrations and…

22 hours ago