The highest race number ever seen in F1

40

In 1974, Italian racer Lella Lombardi made a vain attempt to qualify for her very first F1 race, the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.

Her 'Allied Polymer Group' Brabham BT42 happened to be sponsored by a Luxembourg radio station that broadcast on the 208 FM frequency, which explains Lombardi's '208' race number, the highest ever seen in Grand Prix racing.

While her efforts in F1 in 1974 went unrewarded, a year later Lombardi became the first and only woman to score a championship point in F1, a feat achieved at the Spanish Grand Prix at Montjuich Park with a March 751.

However, Lella actually scored a half-point on that day as the 75-lap race - ultimately won by McLaren's Jochen Mass - was shortened to just 29 laps due to an accident that halted proceedings.

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.