Ferrari and Lauda wouldn't mix - Marchionne

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Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne says there would be no place today at the House of Maranello for its former famous member Niki Lauda.

The F1 great achieved two world titles with the Scuderia and later worked with the Italian outfit as a close advisor.

Those days are over however says the Fiat-Chrysler boss, insisting Ferrari and Lauda, the non-executive chairman of the Mercedes AMG F1 team, would not mix.

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"Niki Lauda is fundamental to Mercedes," Ferrari president Marchionne told Autosprint.

"He always understands what happens in the mind of the driver, which is a great value and he rarely makes mistakes in evaluating what a driver does.

"However, in our team there is no space for a prophet like him," Marchionne insisted.

According to the 65-year-old executive, Scuderia boss Maurizio Arrivabene is doing a "great job" with Ferrari's "two complex drivers" Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

By the same token, it's doubtful Lauda world ever consider an involvement with Ferrari.

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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.