A pointless drive to sixth for Patrick Gaillard

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French driver Patrick Gaillard celebrates his 74th birthday on this day, so it's only appropriate we remember his single F1 claim to fame.

Gaillard competed in two Grands Prix with Mo Nunn's Ensign team in 1979, without anything to show for it.

However, he was called back to the team a year later for the 1980 Spanish GP in Jarama. The Frenchman put in a good effort to finish 6th at the wheel of Ensign's pretty N180 in a race won by Williams' Alan Jones.

But the world championship point he deserved eluded Gaillard.

Why? Because the race had gone ahead without the Ferrari, Renault and Alfa Romeo manufacturer teams following a dispute between FOCA and FISA, the sport's governing body at the time.

The event was therefore declared a non-championship race. And Gaillard remains therefore out of F1's official statistics, unfortunately.

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.