Jenson Button's 24-month mercurial rise to F1

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Jenson Button rolled on to the world stage on this day in 2000, making his F1 debut with Williams at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

A talented Formula Ford driver just 24 months earlier, the 20-year-old was spotted and eventually signed up by the Grove-based outfit to race alongside Ralf Schumacher for the 2000 season.

However, it was an unlucky baptism of fire for JB who qualified P21, 1.5s adrift from his team mate, and retired in the race with an engine problem after running as high as fourth.

Six years and 113 races later, Button broke his duck, winning his first F1 race in Hungary with Honda.

Fourteen more victories and a world championship would follow.

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.