Race and classic pictures

Sebastian Wheldon pays an emotional tribute to his Dad

It was an emotional scene yesterday at Indy when 9-year-old Sebastian Wheldon took his kart for a spin at the Brickyard as he paid a tribute to his famous father.

Two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon died in a crash at Las Vegas in 2011 when Sebastian was just two-years-old.

The youngster raced up and down the Speedway's main straight before stopping and kissing the legendary bricks, just like his Dad did after winning in the blue-ribbon event in 2005.

"He’s got Dan’s DNA," family friend Scott Dixon said of Sebastian.

"That’s all Dan wanted to do."

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.

Recent Posts

Mansell slams F1: ‘Totally false’ overtakes under fire

Formula 1’s 2026 regulations were meant to usher in a new era of closer racing…

48 minutes ago

Lauda's maiden F1 win and Ferrari's 50th GP triumph

In this scene immortalized by legendary photographer Bernard Cahier, a jumping-jack Luca di Montezemolo flanked…

2 hours ago

No big leap expected: Honda temper Aston Martin Miami hopes

Honda F1 Trackside Manager Shintaro Orihara has warned that Aston Martin are unlikely to see…

3 hours ago

Brown’s decade at McLaren: From ‘darkness’ to dominance

When Zak Brown first walked through the doors of McLaren’s Woking headquarters in late 2016,…

4 hours ago

FIA draws the line: F1 ‘cannot be hostage’ to engine manufacturers

Formula 1’s future is being shaped in meeting rooms as much as on racetracks –…

6 hours ago

Colapinto show run reignites Argentina’s F1 comeback dream

The streets of Buenos Aires were painted Blue and Pink this past weekend as Alpine’s…

23 hours ago