Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsFormula 1

Fittipaldi named official Mexican GP ambassador

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The promoters of this year's upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, which is back on the F1 calendar for the first time since 1992, have nominated former double World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi as the event's official ambassador.

The legendary Brazilian driver, who conquered his F1 titles with Lotus and McLaren in the 70s, has been entrusted with a representative role but will also help galvanize fervor by engaging with fans both in Mexico and internationally.

As a prominent motorsport figure Fittipaldi's popularity spans worldwide and was built on his success in Grand Prix racing as well as in Indycar in the US where he added two Indianapolis 500 wins alongside his Formula 1 credentials.

To this day, he remains active in various guises delivering his vast experience and expertise to those who wish to profit from it.

“I am truly honoured to take on this role as the official ambassador for the Formula 1 Gran Premio de Mexico," Fittipaldi commented. " have such special memories of racing here back in the seventies, the track was really something else. I don’t think I had my finest performances here however nothing can take away from the incredible atmosphere created by the Mexican fans, their passion and positive energy is superb."

"I’ll never forget Pedro Rodriguez coming to me before my first race there and asking me if I spoke Spanish, I said I spoke a little, he then asked me to accompany him around the circuit to ask the incredibly enthusiastic fans to step back behind the barriers so that we could actually start the race!"

Rodrigo Sanchez, the Director of Marketing for the Mexican Grand Prix, expressed his appreciation and satisfaction to have Fittipaldi associated with the country's premier sporting event.

“We wanted someone who could really capture the spirit and energy of our event, someone who our fans can relate to and connect with, Emerson fit the bill perfectly. Emerson achieved great success in his driving career but more importantly he has gone on to do great work within motorsport and he has made the most of his profile with his philanthropic endeavours, we are extremely proud to call him our official ambassador.”

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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.