Ferrari enjoys historic night in Bahrain with WEC glory

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Ferrari celebrated a golden night under the Bahrain lights on Saturday after clinching both the FIA World Endurance Championship drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles — its first top-class prototype crown in over half a century.

The #51 499P of James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and Antonio Giovinazzi charged to a determined fourth place, sealing the championship ahead of the #83 AF Corse Ferrari and Porsche’s #6 Penske entries.

Their triumph, supported by a strong podium finish for teammates Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen, and Antonio Fuoco in the #50 car, capped a landmark season that restored the Prancing Horse to endurance racing glory.

While Toyota’s #7 crew of Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway, and Nyck de Vries finally broke their team’s winless run with victory in the Bahrain 8 Hours, the night – and the championship – belonged unmistakably to the House of Maranello.

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.