A golden boy's two-part affair with Ferrari

Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, perhaps the most emblematic figure in Ferrari's history aside from the Commendatore himself, was born on this day in 1947.

As a protégé of legendary FIAT boss Gianni Agnelli, di Montezemolo was entrusted at the young age of 27 by Enzo Ferrari with the running of the Scuderia.

His early tenure with the Italian outfit led to world titles with Niki Lauda in 1975 and in 1977. The stylish and gifted young Italian then moved into the corporate world, earning his stripes as a senior manager at FIAT and at several of the automotive empire's companies.

In 1991, Agnelli appointed Montezemolo president of Ferrari, a return to Maranello that was the prelude to a golden period for the Scuderia, with team boss Jean Todt, technical director Ross Brawn and star driver Michael Schumacher delivering multiple titles to Formula 1's most successful outfit.

©WRI2

In September 2014, six years after Ferrari's last F1 Constructors' crown, Montezemolo resigned as president and chairman of Ferrari following increasing tension with his would-be successor, FIAT Chrysler CEO, the late Sergio Marchionne.

A corporate golden boy who was also a racer at heart, Luca di Montezemolo was inducted in July 2015 into America's Automotive Hall of Fame.

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.