Long gone from F1, but still a racer at heart

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Bernard Charles Ecclestone turns a ripe 93-years-young on this day, and despite his recent run-in with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the former F1 supremo is fit and well, and still an inccurable racer at heart.

More than anything else, more than the wheeling and dealing, it's always been about the engines ringing in Bernie's ears.

From the Brabham days as a team owner to the modern days as the guardian of the sport, the underlying theme that has always made Mr. 'E' tick is passion. Once a racer, always a racer.

Ecclestone now watches Formula 1 from afar, but he still has an ear to the ground and never misses an opportunity - although perhaps sometimes he should - to comment on the sport's affairs.

But Bernie's daily life mainly evolves around his wife Fabiana and the couple's young son, Ace, whom they welcomed into their life in the summer of 2020.

The new arrival was the billionaire's first son, joining daughters Tamara, Petra and Deborah from Ecclestone's previous marriages.

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.