A class act who has earned his fair share of bubbly

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Toyoharu Tanabe was a welcome visitor to the Austrian Grand Prix podium on Sunday and the Honda F1 tech boss was appropriately drenched in bubbly as Red Bull celebrated its sixth win of the season.

Honda's trying times with McLaren when it returned to F1 in 2015 and the hardship it endured are but a distant memory, buried under a collection of wins that will allow the Japanese manufacturer to leave F1 at the end of the season with its head held high, regardless of the outcome of the championship.

As the man who led the development of Honda's power unit from a fragile and gutless piece of hardware to a mighty and robust power plant, while putting up with waves of mockery and contempt along the way, Tanabe-san deserves full marks, for his expertise and guidance but also for remaining well planted and composed during the lean years. A class act.

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.