Monza's traditional Friday visit from the Commendatore

Enzo Ferrari famously never attended the races in which his scarlet red machines were entered, even when the Scuderia was racing at Monza.

Back in the 1960s however, on the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix, it was customary for the Commendatore to visit the Scuderia on the Friday and follow the day's proceedings.

He would usually stroll down the pitlane and cast an interested eye on rival teams' machinery - like here above in 1966, when Jack Brabham's BT19 caught the great man's eye.

If they are observant, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz may well notice a towering ghostly figure standing behind the barriers in the Monza parklands today...

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.