Over the Hill and well beyond

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Graham Hill was born on this day in 1929, so here's the great Brit flying high over Flugplatz in his Lotus 49 at the Nurburgring in 1969.

Hill won the world title twice, in 1962 with BRM and in 1968 with Lotus, and collected 14 Grand Prix wins over a career spanning eighteen years.

The F1 great remains to this day the single victor of motor racing's 'Triple Crown', an outstanding achievement that includes winning the Monaco GP, the Indy 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

And it's worth recalling that the Briton also supplied his good genes to one Damon Hill, F1 world champion in 1996.

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.