Guess who just set a new - and incredible - lap record at Sebring?

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It's the start of the 2019 F1 season and the man fans miss the most in Melbourne is making headlines on the other side of the world.

Qualifying for this weekend's 1000 Miles of Sebring was held during the cool Florida night on Friday, and Fernando Alonso went around the 3.74-mile track faster - much faster - than any driver has ever gone in the history of the old concrete circuit.

Alonso took his #8 Toyota TS050 Hybrid around in an incredible 1m40.124s, over three seconds faster than the previous record held by Sebastien Bourdais since 2009.

Mind you, Alonso's Toyota Gazoo team mate Kazuki Nakajima came close to matching the Spaniard, putting a 1m40.513 on the board.

Round 6 of the 2018/19 WEC Super Season gets underway on Friday at 16h00 local time, or 21h00 CET.

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.