When Wattie put his first point on the board

40

Belfast-born John Watson came into this world 78 years ago today and ushered his way into F1 in 1973 with the Brabham team.

A veteran of 152 Grands Prix, Watson soldiered on in his career driving for Brabham, Surtees and Penske before a second-spell with Bernie Ecclestone's team in 1977 and 1978 established the Ulsterman as a regular F1 front-runner.

Watson won his first Grand Prix with Penske in Austria in 1976, and added four more wins to his tally between 1981 and 1983 driving for McLaren.

'Wattie' is seen here at Monaco in 1974, en route to his first world championship point onboard his 'John Goldie Racing with Hexagon' Brabham BT42, designed by the way by the great Gordon Murray, CBE.

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.