From dream to reality: Jonesy gets it done in Montreal

40

On this day in 1980, Williams' Alan Jones clinched his sole F1 world championship with one race to spare by triumphing in a tumultuous Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

Brabham's Nelson Piquet, who had arrived at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as the championship leader, was dominating proceedings when his engine gave up the ghost on lap 23 of 70.

Ligier's Didier Pironi had finished the race first on the road but the Frenchman was handed a crushing 60-second penalty for a jump-start, which handed the win to Jonesy who preceded teammate Carlos Reutemann at the checked flag.

"It's what I've been dreaming of and working for," said the Aussie. "I still can't believe it...maybe when I'm back at the hotel, taking a shower, that's when it might sink in, and I'll start jumping up and down."

The race was marred by a seven-car collision at the first corner, which brought proceedings to a halt for nearly an hour. The most severe casualty was Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who suffered double leg fractures when he crashed his Renault into the wall.

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.