McLaren's last full-time IndyCar Series gig

40

McLaren announced this week its full-time return to IndyCar in 2020, the Woking-based outfit joining forces with race winners Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

In the early seventies, it was customary for McLaren to battle on several fronts, the team dovetailing its Can-Am and IndyCar programmes with its core Formula 1 affairs.

Team McLaren triumphed with Johnny Rutherford twice at Indianapolis, in 1974 and 1976.

But the outfit's last full involvement in the US was back in 1979, when Rutherford - seen here above at the Brickyard - steered his M-24B to two wins in the SCCA/CART Indy Car Series, the legendary Texan finishing fourth in the championship.

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.