A salute to F1's former Marathon Man

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Riccardo Patrese - who turns 72 on this day - held for 19 years the record for the most Grand Prix starts, with 256 races to his name.

The Italian started his career in F1 with Shadow in 1977 before switching to Arrow a year later. But a move to Brabham in 1982 provided him with his first Grand Prix win, achieved at Monaco.

Patrese would enjoy another win with Bernie Ecclestone's outfit in 1983, a victory clinched at Kyalami at the wheel of the elegant and stunning Gordon Murray-designed Brabham-BMW BT52B, seen here above.

But in 1988, after a lean period marked by an unsuccessful spell with Alfa Romeo, the Italian charger would go on to rebuild his momentum with Williams, with which he would achieve his remaining four wins in F1 and finish runner-up to teammate Nigel Mansell in the Drivers' championship in 1992.

A year ago, at Goodwood's 80th Members meeting, Riccardo was reunited with his stunning Brabham BT52B, courtesy of its owner Bernie Ecclestone who had also sent a second car for David Brabham, seen in the picture hereunder with Patrese.

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.