The mighty Silver Arrows ancestor of the Mercedes W08

©Mercedes

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The Mercedes W196 was where it all started in F1 for the German manufacturer. The car first raced at the 1954 French GP in Reims and it was a dominant conqueror straight out of the box! Juan-Manuel Fangio won Karl Kling on Mercedes' Grand Prix debut. The W196 featured an aerodynamic closed-wheel aluminium "Type Monza" streamliner body, designed specifically for fast tracks such as Reims, Monza or Silverestone. This original Silver Arrows brought two world championships to Mercedes and to Fangio, its legendary driver.

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.