Newey: '2017 championship was Hamilton's best ever'

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Red Bull Racing designer Adrian Newey was hugely impressed with Lewis Hamilton's 2017 season and the way in which he achieved his title.

As one of Formula 1's most successful designers, Newey casts an expert eye not only on rival team's cars but also on their drivers' performance.

Lewis Hamilton achieved his fourth title in eleven season, pumping up his tally of Grand Prix wins to 62, or 29 short of Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91 victories.

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Beyond the stats however, Newey underlined the Mercedes driver's sustained strength and excellence behind the wheel of his Silver Arrows.

"I think his early championships were a bit up and down," Newey told Sky Sports.

"But the championship he’s just put together this year was without doubt, in my opinion, his best one.

"He’s put together such a strong campaign, there haven’t been any weak races. He’s known when to battle and when to let a position go rather than taking himself out."

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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.