Race and classic pictures

Button and Jota’s Brady bunch enjoyed star support at Le Mans

Jenson Button’s Hertz Team Jota Porsche squad had one very big A-lister celebrity rooting for its success at Le Mans, with NFL legend Tom Brady dropping in on the crews last weekend.

It was the former Patriots’ quarter-back second visit to Le Mans, having already established a relationship with Jota in 2023 as the outfit’s official apparel partner through his BRADY brand.

Button and teammate Phil Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen endured the daunting conditions that disrupted the rain-hit event to finish a creditable P9, just one spot behind Jota’s #8 sister car, but on the same lap as Ferrari’s overall winners.

“Big thank you to everyone in Team Jota for all your hard work these past 2 weeks, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Button wrote on social media.

“The results this weekend don’t reflect the effort you’ve put in but we will change that!

“We will learn, regroup and come back stronger at the next @fiawec_official round at Interlagos in a few weeks.”

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.