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Button and wife Jessica gassed and raided by thieves in St Tropez !

Jenson Button and wife Jessica were gassed in their sleep by burglars while on holiday in St Tropez on the French Riviera earlier this week !

The shocking event occurred while the couple were staying at a house along with three friends. It is believed that criminals pumped anesthetic gas into the air conditioning system of the rented property, before breaking in and helping themselves to £300,000 worth of belongings - including Jessica's £250,000 engagement ring.

Nobody was harmed during the theft but the McLaren driver, his wife and friends were understandably shaken by the events, and immediately left the premises.

Local authorities have indicated that sophisticated heists of the type conducted against the Button household are a growing problem in the region, with criminals scoping a property for days before timing their robbery and releasing sleeping gas into luxury villas. The perpetrators have yet to be identified and apprehended.

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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.