A bit too close for comfort...

40

The 1970 Mexican Grand Prix, held on this day forty-seven years ago, drew a huge crowd to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Attendance figures were estimated at 200,000, but pressured for space the fans pulled down much of the safety fencing to sit on the track's embankments.

Jackie Stewart made a plea to the crowd, asking people to move back, but it was all in vain. Fearing a riot if the race did not get underway, organisers told the drivers to get on with it, which they did.

Ferrari won the race by the way, with Jacky Ickx leading home team mate Clay Regazzoni.

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.