Race and classic pictures

A shock pole for Canadian rain man Lance Stroll

For all the criticism lobbed at Lance Stroll during his F1 career, and especially this season amid his lacklustre results relative to his Aston teammate Fernando Alonso, the young Canadian's remarkable performance achieved on this day in 2020 in Turkey with Racing Point showed the haters that he was, at the very minimum, a gifted driver.

On a rainy day in Istanbul and on a treacherous track drowned in changing conditions, Stroll embraced the opportunity to master the elements.

And he did it like a seasoned veteran, topping the final Q3 shootout by 0.290s from Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Stroll's accomplishment was also the first time in 23 years that a Canadian driver had come out on top in an F1 qualifying session, in fact since Jacques Villeneuve in the 1997 European GP.

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.

Recent Posts

Aston Martin splits its famous name to survive financial storm

Aston Martin has secured a crucial £550 million financing package by giving up majority control…

1 hour ago

Smedley fires back at Norris critics: ‘He’s the real deal’

Lando Norris may be Formula 1’s reigning world champion, but Rob Smedley believes the McLaren…

2 hours ago

Honda recalls January reality that shattered F1 engine hopes

Honda entered Formula 1’s new era believing it had built the foundations of a competitive…

18 hours ago

Leclerc says Madrid’s La Monumental will ‘reward the brave’

Charles Leclerc’s early verdict on Madrid’s brand-new Madring suggests the rest of the F1 grid…

20 hours ago

While F1 rests, Bottas pedals into a world championship

Somewhere in the Czech Republic last weekend, while the F1 paddock was busy elsewhere doing…

21 hours ago

When Jenson Button finally broke his duck!

Jenson Button took the first win of his Formula 1 career on this day in…

22 hours ago