Grand Prix drivers on sportscar duty at Spa

40

There was a time, during a bygone era, when racing every weekend in various categories was the norm rather than the exception for many Grand Prix drivers.

In 2018, Fernando Alonso indulged in a bout of diversity when he dovetailed his F1 commitments with McLaren with a season of endurance racing with Toyota, but the Spaniard was an outlier in F1's otherwise very restricted world.

In 1971, a few F1 drivers took a break from Grand Prix racing's agenda to fulfill their duties in sporstcar racing.

Jo Siffert is seen here at the Spa 1000 km race hounding Porsche John Wyer team mate Pedro Rodriguez up Raidillon, with both about to leave one very brave marshal in their dust!

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.