Montoya finally straddles a Prancing Horse!

©Instagram

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©Instagram

Seven-time Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya was united with a Ferrari F1 car for the very first time in his motorsport career.

The 46-year-old Columbian who raced for Williams and McLaren between 2001 and 2006 was granted an outing onboard an F2008 at Mugello on Thursday as part of Ferrari's end-of-season Finali Mondiali event that is being held at the Tuscany track this weekend.

As a reminder, the F2008 delivered a Constructors' title to the Scuderia in 2008 in the capable hands of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, with the Brazilian just missing out on the Driver's crown at a dramatic final round on his home track at Interlagos.

Ferrari's in-house demo driver Marc Gene and burgeoning young talent Sebastian Montoya were on hand to witness JPM's memorable track day.

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.