Hot off the press, cool in the cockpit

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Had Niki Lauda been given the good fortune to read the next day's newspaper on this day in 1984, he would have learned that McLaren had scored a 1-2 at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

After a poor start from sixth on the grid, the great Austrian charged through the top-10 to settle in second place, but teammate and poleman Alain Prost proved an unsurmountable hurdle in the Dutch dunes.

But Lauda's runner-up spot contributed nicely to his points tally in the championship, the McLaren driver conquering at the end of the year his third and final world title, with a minute advantage of just half a point over Prost.

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.