A meeting of the bigwigs in Gstaad, but no F1 'pirate series'

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff dismissed ridiculous rumors that there had been some conniving behind the scenes over the winter of some big players to set up a breakaway F1 series.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, It all started with a quiet but well-attended lunch in glitzy Gstaad in Switzerland back in February.

Gathered around a lavish dish of rosti and fondue, the well-heeled group included Wolff, Bernie Ecclestone, former Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo and Racing Point co-owner Lawrence Stroll.

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Needless to say, the celebrity sighting was later interpreted as a meeting of the bigwigs, with every indication pointing towards a covert collusion as the premises of a 'pirate' F1 series were born.

Queried on the anecdote in Melbourne, Wolff laughed off the conspiracy theory.

"Lawrence Stroll had invited me to Gstaad," said Wolff.

"Bernie has a chalet there, and so it turned out that we all met there.

"The pirate series is nonsense," he added more seriously.

"We will fully support Liberty in their Formula 1 campaign."

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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.