Cozying up to the boss on summer break

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©Instagram/FlavioBriatore

Porto Cervo in Sardinia was Stefano Domenicali's first port of call on his summer break, and the Italian ran into a pair of familiar faces at the seaside resort.

Both Toto Wolff and local Billionaire Club owner Flavio Briatore – a man known to still pull a few strings in F1 - seemed inclined to cozy up to Grand Prix racing's chief executive.

As they say, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer…

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.