Valtteri Bottas puts in the laps in Adelaide!

A headline describing an F1 driver racing in Adelaide sounds like a story from a bygone era. And yet Valtteri Bottas did just that this week in South Australia's coastal capital.

But the Mercedes driver didn't travel Down Under to sample a vintage F1 car at the once Grand Prix circuit, a large portion of which still exists.

As part of his pre-season physical preparation, Bottas took part in a cycling criterium at Victoria Park along with good friend, Aussie cyclist Tiffany Cromwell.

"I never thought that I would ever happen to perform on the track in Adelaide, and even on a bicycle!," the Finn wrote on Instagram.

"On it I am still slow, like a turtle, but it was a cool experience – the first time to drive such a race and at the same time have another good workout.

"In terms of physical preparation, this off-season period was one of the best in my memory, if we talk about the quantitative and qualitative side of the process."

It sounds like VB77 is already ready to roll…

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.