Remembering Pedro Rodriguez: A small stature but a massive talent

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The world of motorsport was pulled out of an early summer slumber on this day in 1971 when the news of Pedro Rodriguez's death hit the wires.

On a leisurely weekend settled between the French and British Grands Prix, BRM's Pedro Rodriguez had elected to race in a minor Interseries sportscar event at the Norisring, just for the sake of it.

Fighting for the lead onboard a Herbert Muller Racing Ferrari 512M, Rodriguez was edged into the wall by a slower car, with devastating consequences. The Ferrari burst into flames and Rodriguez perished in the blaze.

The 31-year-old Mexican was a small man in size but a massive talent.

A two-time Grand Prix winner, Rodriguez's track record in F1 belied a genius he otherwise made evident in sports car racing when he manhandled the mighty Gulf-Porsche 917s of John Wyer.

Pedro's death in 1971 came nine years after the tragic passing of his younger and blindingly fast brother Ricardo at the Mexican Grand Prix in 1962.

There was no disputing the speed genes that inhabited these two young men.

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.