Brendon Hartley's 'brutal day' on two wheels

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While most of his F1 colleagues continue to enjoy the summer break, sitting back on the beach with their feet up, Brendon Hartley completed a grueling nine-hour mountain bike ride in the Colorado Rockies.

The Toro Rosso driver, spurred on by friend and former Porsche team mate Mark Webber, entered the 161km Leadville Trail 100 MTB event.

The renowned race saw 1536 competitors run all day through extreme terrain, with an average altitude of more than 3000 metres.

The Kiwi, who finished 36th in the male 20-29 years category with nine-hour and 56 second run, described it simply as "a brutal day"!

"It's amazing how much you learn about yourself when pushed to your limits, great feeling," Hartley said in an Instagram post.

As for Mark Webber, the instigator of Hartley's exploit and his personal MTB trainer, the Aussie clocked in after nine hours, 24 minutes and 32 seconds.

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.