Lotterer’s short and sour single stint in F1

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For all his success in the junior ranks of single seater racing, in Europe and in Japan, and despite his role as a test driver for the Jaguar F1 team in 2002, sportscar ace André Lotterer – born on this day in 1981 – only enjoyed a single outing in Formula 1.

At 33, the Belgo-German’s one-off opportunity to join motorsport’s elite came at the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix with Caterham when he replaced Kamui Kobayashi.

Lotterer qualified 21st but his F1 debut only lasted a lap due to a power unit failure.

With three wins at Le Mans and a World Endurance Championship title with Porsche under his belt, Lotterer has more than redeemed his shattered F1 dreams, establishing himself as one of the most successful and respected drivers in endurance racing, qualities that will certainly benefit the Genesis Magma Racing hypercar team in the WEC next season.

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.