Race and classic pictures

An unknown face but a famous name on the podium

The Mercedes representative chosen to receive the Constructors' trophy for Lewis Hamilton's win in Sunday's British Grand Prix was an unfamiliar face to many, but the young man bore a familiar name.

Gilles Pironi is the Brackley squad's reliability engineer and the son of the late Didier Pironi, a three-time Grand Prix winner with Ferrari whose career in F1 was tragically cut short by a horrendous accident at Hockenheim in 1982.

Sadly, Gilles and his twin brother Didier were born after the death of their father in an offshore powerboat accident near the isle of Wight in 1987.

Their mother Catherine Goux, named her sons in honour of the friendship that once linked Pironi and his Ferrari teammate Gilles Villeneuve.

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.

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