Pondering what might have been for the great Rick Mears

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IndyCar legend Rick Mears - who was born on this day 74 years ago - is often considered as the greatest Indy 500 racer of all time.

But in 1980, as his career in the US series was flourishing with Penske Racing, Mears was offered a couple of F1 tests with Brabham, at the behest of team owner Bernie Ecclestone who believed the American would make a good fit for his team and for F1.

Mears first sampled Brabham's BT49 at Paul Ricard where his smooth and steady style wasn't exactly what the Gordon Murray-designed machine required.

At his second test at Riverside a few months later, Rick hustled the Brabham around the California track and ended up quicker than the benchmark time set earlier in the day by Nelson Piquet.

Bernie eventually offered Mears a ride, but the great American driver declined the deal, deciding that IndyCar would remain his calling.

"I got into racing as a hobby because I love it and it's what makes me happy," Mears explained at the time. "I decided I was going to do what makes me happy, not what pays the most."

In the following years, Rick Mears tagged on three more Indy 500 wins and two more CART titles with Penske before retiring from racing in 1992.

And that's hardly a track record that would leave him with any regrets about Formula 1.

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.