Race and classic pictures

Hamilton's 2010 McLaren MP4-25A welcomes new owner

Lewis Hamilton's race winning McLaren MP4-25A from 2010 went under the hammer yesterday at Silverstone and found a new owner for a hefty £4,836,000 or approximately $6,658,000!

A McLaren F1 car offered for sale is a rare event, regardless of the machine's year or pedigree, and very few modern models exist in private ownership.

To mark the unique opportunity to own a prestigious piece of Hamilton and McLaren history, RM Sotheby's conducted the auction right after sprint qualifying while the car was being driven in anger out on the track!

Chassis #1 was raced in 2010 by both Hamilton and teammate Jenson Button, and won the Turkish Grand Prix in the hands of the seven-time world champion.

Client confidentiality obviously precluded RM Sotheby's from revealing the identity of the buyer. Hopefully he was present at Silverstone yesterday to enjoy the screeching howling of the 2.4 litre naturally aspirated Mercedes V8 engine.

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.