Monza honours the memory of Michele Alboreto

40

Over twenty years after the untimely passing of Italian F1 ace Michele Alboreto, Monza honoured the memory of the late Ferrari driver in a ceremony conducted at the Temple of Speed on Saturday.

As a tribute to the five-time Grand Prix winner's legacy, the track's famous final Parabolica corner has been renamed 'Curva Alboreto'.

Saturday's ceremony took place in the presence of, among others, ACI president Angelo Sticchi Damiani, FIA president Jean Todt, F1 boss Stefano Domenical, Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto and members of the Alboreto family including his spouse, Nadia.

Alboreto scored his penultimate podium in Formula 1 at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1988, when he finished second to Ferrari teammate Gerhard Berger.

In 1985, he finished runner-up in the world championship behind McLaren's Alain Prost.

Alboreto was tragically killed in April 2001 at the age of 44 while testing for the Audi sportscar team at the Lausitzring.

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.