Remembering Peter Revson, a gentleman and a racer

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Peter Revson was born on this day in 1939, and remains the last American born driver to have won a Grand Prix. After winning the Can-Am series for McLaren in 1971, Revson joined the team's F1 efforts the following year, teaming up with Denny Hulme. He won twice in 1973 but decided his interests would be better served with Don Nichols' Shadow outfit in '74. Sadly, it would all go terribly wrong early on in the season. During private testing at Kyalami a week before the South African GP, Revson was killed instantly when his Shadow suffered a suspension failure and hit the guardrail. He is seen here sitting in his McLaren M23 during practice for the German GP at the Nürburgring in 1973.

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.