When Italy mourned the loss of its favorite son

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On this day in 1955, the Italian nation and motorsport mourned the loss of the great Alberto Ascari, Ferrari's first world champion.

The son of one of Italy's great pre-war drivers, Ascari was a hugely popular character in Grand Prix racing, a man who clinched 13 wins and two world championships, both achieved with Enzo Ferrari's Scuderia.

His very last race was at Monaco in 1955 where, driving a Lancia D50, he crashed late in the event while running second to Stirling Moss, hitting the hay bales and sandbags after missing the chicane and plunging into the harbour.

But Ascari survived the spectacular crash and was hauled on to a boat with just a broken nose.

However, it was but a short respite for the Italian legend.

Just four days later, he went to Monza to check on his good friend Eugenio Castellotti who was testing a Ferrari 750 Monza sports car.

Ascari, in his jacket and tie, offered to run a few laps in the machine. But on his third lap, the Ferrari inexplicably skidded and somersaulted at the Curva del Vialone, now known as the Variante Ascari, throwing out its unfortunate driver.

Ascari died of multiple injuries minutes later.

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.