A win marred in tragedy at Reims for Ferrari and Hawthorn

©TheCahierArchive

On this day in 1958 at the French Grand Prix in Reims, future world champion Mike Hawthorn took his third career win in Formula 1.

But it was a victory marred in tragedy for the Briton and the Ferrari team as teammate Luigi Musso had been killed while chasing down Hawthorn.

The Italian was closing the gap to the latter when he attempted to take the high-speed Gueux curve flat out, only for his 246 Dino to spin off and somersault, flinging its unfortunate driver to his death.

In this picture from Bernard Cahier taken minutes before the race's start, poleman Hawthorn is sat on the front row alongside Musso and BRM's Harry Schell.

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.