Race and classic pictures

Once F1 teammates, still a mischievous pair

The legendary Hahnenkamm downhill ski race in Kitzbuhel unfolded in all its gravity-defying glory this weekend in Austria.

While the competition is notorious for being the Mount Everest of ski challenges, it also moonlights as a magnetic force for F1 stars and celebrities worldwide.

At the Kitz Race Party on Saturday evening, the dynamic duo of former Ferrari and Benetton teammates, Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi, were reunited.

Surprisingly, unlike their Formula 1 days where they played tag with mischief, this time the pair were on their best behaviour.

The soirée witnessed the two racing veterans regaling the audience with tales of their high-speed escapades. Their laughter, echoing through the room, could have been mistaken for a collaboration between seasoned comedians, proving that their enduring friendship is as unshakeable as a stubborn ski slope.

In the end, the room was left with the lingering scent of nostalgia, the echoes of laughter, and a collective agreement that, when it comes to parties, these racing legends know how to keep it on the fast track without spinning out of control.

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.