Mario gets his own corner and another F1 run at COTA

Another race weekend, another bucket list day for motorsport legend Mario Andretti.

The 1978 F1 World Champion returned to the cockpit last weekend at Laguna Seca where the 82-year-old ran some demo laps onboard a 2013-spec McLaren MP4-28.

But it turned out that the event, gifted to Andretti by McLaren boss Zak Brown, was just a warm-up for another blast behind the wheel of the Mercedes-powered car at the Circuit of the Americas.

On Saturday, Andretti took to the track with Brown, who was strapped into an ex-Lewis Hamilton machine, much to the pleasure of the fans in the grandstands.

And as an added bonus to his US Grand Prix weekend, Mario had a corner – COTA's final Turn 20 – named after him!

Perhaps F1 should make these demo sessions a regular feature of race weekends? We'd love it!

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.