A salute to Britain's first F1 world champion

40

Mike Hawthorn, Britain's first F1 world champion, was born on this day in 1929.

A well-groomed dandy sort of character who always wore a bow-tie while racing, Hawthorn's outstanding talent led him to the famous gates of Maranello in 1953.

Five years later, powered by Ferrari's 246, his consistency allowed him to pip Stirling Moss to the 1958 world title.

It had been a traumatic season however for the Brit who, following the deaths of Scuderia team mates Luigi Musso and Peter Collins, had decided to bring the curtain down on his motorsport career.

Sadly, just three months into retirement, Hawthorn met his own fate on a wet Thursday morning in January on a Guilford bypass near London.

He was just 29 but remains an indelible part of Formula 1 history and a British legend.

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.