Race and classic pictures

A quiet night out for F1's team bosses

By nature, F1's team principals are just as competitive as their drivers, and sometimes a relationship between a team boss and a counterpart from another outfit can dissolve into acrimony.

Cue Christian Horner and Toto Wolff and their toxic rapport last season as an example of intra-team antagonism.

But as individuals involved in the same field of expertise, they can relate to each other's concerns and problems.

So, a quiet night out among themselves at Imola ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, at the behest of F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali who gladly picked up the tab, was perhaps an opportunity to talk shop and share some common thoughts while musing on life in the fast lane.

However, looking at this picture, one question comes to mind: where was Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack?

It appears the German was indeed invited but never got the message!

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.