Spa ’92: Schumacher breaks through with maiden F1 win

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One year after his eye-opening F1 debut at Spa, Michael Schumacher returned to the Ardennes track on this day in 1992 to snatch the first of his record 91 wins in the sport - a milestone since surpassed by Lewis Hamilton with 105 victories.

The German driver's Benetton B192 was theoretically outpaced at the time by the more technologically advanced cars from McLaren and Williams.

But a slice of luck coupled with an astute strategy call in the wet-to-dry conditions - not to mention Schumacher's outstanding skills of course - delivered to the F1 legend his maiden Grand Prix win.

And the rest as they say, is history…

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.