Jacques Villeneuve's very first claim to fame

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Jacques Villeneuve turns 55 on this day, and its an opportunity to remind everyone of the Canadian's very first claim to fame.

Before clinching the F1 world title in 1997, Mr. 'Newtown' was the recipient two years earlier of the famed Borg Warner Trophy for having won the 79th running of the Indy 500.

It was a controversial triumph however for the Canadian who picked up the lead from Scott Goodyear when the latter was disqualified for passing the pace car on a restart with just 10 laps to go.

Still, Villeneuve savoured the traditional milk in Victory Lane as well as the massive exposure that his win produced.

A year later, he made an impressive F1 debut with Williams, winning the title the following season with the British outfit after a memorable dual with Michael Schumacher at the final round in Jerez.

An 11-time victor in F1, exclusively with Williams, Villeneuve called it a day in 2006 after 11 seasons and 168 Grands Prix, concluding his career at Hockenheim with BMW-Sauber

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.