A McLaren legend looks back at one of his greatest designs

©McLaren

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©McLaren

Legendary McLaren designer Gordon Coppuck, the man who penned the ultra-successful and long-lasting McLaren M23, stopped by Woking this week to be reunited with an old friend.

The McLaren M16C which delivered an Indy 500 win in 1974 to the team and its driver, Johnny Rutherford, was brought back to its permanent home, and its creator greeted it with a bout of joy and nostalgia.

Part of Coppuck's inspiration for the design was derived from Lotus' ground-breaking wedge-shaped 72, the British engineer believing the low-drag concept would perfectly suit Indy's high-speed oval racing.

And Gordon was right, as the M16 certainly ranks as one of the all-time great Indy racers.

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.