A pole but no role for Jarier in Argentina

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The F1 season kicked off on this day in 1975 in Argentina where Jean-Pierre Jarier put himself and the Shadow team on pole for the very first time.

It was wretched luck however for the fast Frenchman who failed to even make it to the grid, the transmission of his beautiful Shadow DN5 failing on the parade lap!

Jarier's misfortune delighted the crowds however as it allowed local hero Carlos Reutemann to take command of the race.

But the Brabham eventually succumbed to the pressure of Hesketh's James Hunt and then to McLaren's Emerson Fittipaldi, with the Brazilian taking the winner's laurels at the end of the day.

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.