A moment between F1 legends that time never allowed

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What if history paused for a few seconds to let generations of racing brilliance collide?

In this striking and clever AI-generated scene, authored by @motorsfera on Instagram, the boundaries of time dissolve as Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris find themselves mid-conversation with Ayrton Senna.

Leaning nonchalantly against the pit wall in his iconic red suit, the late Brazilian looks as though he’s just stepped out of a modern demo run - perhaps offering a fragment of timeless wisdom to the young stars.

While the real Senna would be 65 today, this digital miracle keeps him forever in his prime. It’s a profound use of artificial intelligence: not merely manipulating pixels, but defying the ticking clock, allowing us to imagine a world where our heroes of the past never truly left the paddock.

In a sense, they never do.

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.