A heavy loss for Fangio and Gonzalez

Argentine driver Onofre Marimon, who was born on this day in 1923, raced in eleven F1 Grands Prix from 1951 until his tragic death in 1954.

A protégé of the great Juan Manuel Fangio and a close friend of fellow countryman José Froilan Gonzalez, Marimon was killed in practice for the German GP at the daunting Nurburgring in 1954.

It was understandably a heavy loss for both Fangio and Gonzalez. Marimon was also the first driver to be killed at a round of the Formula 1 world championship.

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.