Mr. Pagenaud goes to Washington!

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Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud and Team Penske visited the White House on Monday where they were honored by President Donald Trump.

The group arrived on the South Lawn sidewalk, with Pagenaud's #22 winning Dallara and Indy's famous Borg Warner trophy in tow for a meet and greet with the POTUS.

Trump, flanked by Pagenaud and team owner Roger Penske, praised the IndyCar squad for its outstanding track record at the Brickyard which now stands at 18 outright wins.

"I wouldn’t do it," Trump said, gazing at the Frenchman's car as he congratulated its driver.

But a glance at the gleaming silver trophy enticed Trump to revise his judgement.

"Maybe for that trophy I would do it!"

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.