Mann joins Danica at the Brickyard

40

The phrase "Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!" will likely resonate once again around the Speedway this year, thanks to Britain's Pippa Mann who has secured a drive in the Indy 500 with Dale Coyne Racing.

Mann will join Danica Patrick in the 33-car field - normally, the American star concluding her motorsport career with one last one-off at the Brickyard.

Mann on the other hand will contest "the greatest race on earth" for the seventh time, her sixth with the DCR squad, with the support of new sponsor Donate Life Indiana.

"I am honored to have been asked to drive the Donate Life car this May, and to partner with Donate Life Indiana as an ambassador to raise awareness on our mission to help reach even more Hoosiers through our education efforts," Mann said.

"This is obviously a campaign with a pretty deep personal meaning for me, and I am humbled to have the opportunity to join the racers carrying this cause forward."

Pippa will be joined at DCR by recent St. Petersburg's winner Sébastien Bourdais, rookie Pietro Fittipaldi and part-time driver Conor Daly.

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.