Starting afresh… with an attitude

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Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton celebrates his 38th birthday on this day and to illustrate the event we've chosen a picture of the Briton striking a rather irreverent pose.

The Mercedes driver's salute is both a send-off to a dismal 2022 season – by Hamilton's standards – and a shrug to those who believe that his best days are now behind him.

Dismiss Hamilton at your own risk. Sure, expectations have shifted, even he would admit to as much. And there's no denying that with each passing year, Hamilton is drifting closer to the end of his career as a Grand Prix driver.

But starting a new trip around the sun with an attitude is, without a doubt, the mark of a fighter and of a great champion.

By all measures, Hamilton has already achieved greatness in his lifetime, but as a top-end fierce competitor, there's always more greatness to achieve, for the sake of his passion and the sport.

Happy Birthday Sir Lewis!

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.