Prost's long haul to the checkered flag

©WRI

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©WRI

On this day in 1986, McLaren's Alain Prost secured a sixth-place finish and a vital championship point by pushing his car across the finish line at the German Grand Prix.

The closing stages of the race at Hockenheim turned into an economy run for the front-runners, among whom was Prost's team mate Keke Rosberg.

The Finn pulled out of the lead on the penultimate lap, his fuel having vanished. Prost, who had also gone into economy mode, found himself fourth until his car was starved of energy at the last corner.

The Frenchman promptly climbed out of his MP4/2C and pushed his car to the finish, ultimately salvaging sixth in a race won by Williams' Nelson Piquet, the Brazilian also swerving back and forth on to the main straight as he successfully pumped the last drop of fuel into his engine.

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.