One British F1 driver's forgettable season with McLaren

Ex-F1 driver Mark Blundell was born on this day 59 years ago.

The British charger made his F1 debut in 1991 with Brabham, which by then was on its last leg, before sitting out 1992 and returning to the grid with Ligier in 1993.

Blundell scored two of his three career podiums in F1 with the French outfit, while he added another third-place finish the following year, racing for Tyrrell.

The Briton had little to look forward to in 1995 until McLaren boss Ron Dennis called upon his services to steer the mediocre MP4/10, which Nigel Mansell abandoned after two painful races.

Blundell was hopeful that joining McLaren would provide him with the big break he needed to establish himself as a safe bet in F1.

But a fourth-place finish in Monza was the best he could do before he departed the F1 grid for good, leaving the sport with 61 Grands Prix starts to his name.

A foray into IndyCar racing proved more rewarding, as did his post-career partnership with his good friend and near homonym Martin Brundle, the two men coming together to form their MB Partners management company.

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.