Gruesome Schumacher blackmail attempt foiled!

It is being reported that a sick blackmailer sought to extort €900,000 from the Schumacher family a year ago.

The man, whose identity remains unknown at this stage, threatened to kill the children of stricken F1 legend Michael Schumacher unless paid the demanded amount.

An investigation by German police traced the grisly demand to an individual who has since been handed a suspended jail sentence, a fine of €4,500, 50 hours of community service as well as the obligation to seek psychiatric help.

"If the money doesn't reach us by March 31, 2016, your children will be killed in some way. In Formula 4, many accidents occur," wrote the 25-year-old in a chilling e-mail to Schumacher's wife in February 2016.

Mick Schumacher was indeed competing last year in the F4 series before graduating to European Formula 3.

Police were easily able to trace the blackmailer after he included his bank details in the e-mail to Schumacher's wife Corinna.

"To put it cautiously, giving your own bank account details is not sensible," judge Eberhard Hausch told a court in the city of Reutlingen.

The convicted man's lawyer said his client "can't until this day explain why" he acted as he did.

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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.