Race and classic pictures

Fernando Alonso is ready to ROAR before the 24!

Fernando Alonso will enjoy a rather leisurely 2019 season of racing thanks to his retirement from F1, but the Spaniard still gets an early start to his year.

In addition to his duties with Toyota in the WEC and to his participation in the Indy 500 next May with McLaren, Alonso will run in this month's Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with Wayne Taylor Racing, driving the team's No. 10 Cadillac DPi-V.R alongside Jordan Taylor, Renger van der Zande and his Toyota team mate Kamui Kobayashi.

Preceding the big event however is this weekend's "Roar before the Rolex 24", a three-day test and dress rehearsal for the race's 47-car entry list, and Fernando and his crew are ready to roar!

"This year, I’m in a very competitive environment with a very competitive team that’s had a lot of success here at Daytona," Alonso told Racer.

"I’m hoping to be more competitive, and enjoy the race more this year."

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.