The closest the other Mika ever came to winning a GP

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His bio labels him as an FIA drivers' steward, but Mika Salo - born on this day in 1966 - nearly had an F1 win at the 1999 German GP under his name.

That year, Salo had been drafted in by Ferrari for the Austrian GP after Michael Schumacher had broken his leg at Silverstone.

In Austria, the Finn's maiden race with the Scuderia left him with a seventh-place finish while team mate Eddie Irvine had picked up the baton from Schumacher to charge to victory.

But at Hockenheim a week later, Salo outqualified the Ulsterman and was running in front of him in second place when he inherited the lead a little after the race's half-way point following the retirement of fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen.

Salo knew however that his leading position would not last. Sure enough, a lap later the radio crackled with the voice of Ferrari team boss Ross Brawn, telling him to "slow down".

In the end, Irvine led Salo over the finish line for a Ferrari 1-2. And that was as close as the other 'Mika' ever came to winning a Grand Prix.

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.