Arnoux and Alesi set to race 1974 Ferraris in Historic Monaco GP

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F1 veterans René Arnoux and Jean Alesi are set to race in this year's Historic Monaco GP onboard identical Ferrari F1 cars from 1974.

The two French drivers have been invited by German outfit Methuselem to drive a pair of 1974-spec Ferrari 312 B3s, cars raced in the Principality back in the day by the Scuderia's Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni.

Arnoux, a seven-time Grand Prix winner with Renault and Ferrari, had been scheduled to take part in last year's Historic Monaco GP with Methuselem, but the classic event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the 72-year-old Frenchman, a regular visitor to Goodwood over the years, will have a young teammate to contend with on race day, with the 56-year-old Alesi - also a former Ferrari driver - likely determined to hold his own in the streets of the glitzy Principality.

Ferrari's 312 B3 won three times during the 1974 season, with Lauda's very first Grand Prix win in Spain a highlight of a campaign that was a renaissance of sorts for the House of Maranello.

Arnoux and Alesi won't be the only F1 drivers lining up on the '73-76 era three-litre F1 grid, with Monaco-based Alex Caffi racing a 1976 Ensign N176 in the event.

Last year's canceled edition was meant to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the F1 World Championship.

Read also: Monaco gives ACM green light for circuit build

For its 2021 meeting, the Automobile Club de Monaco will pay tribute to the greatness of the Ferrari brand and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Scuderia's first F1 win which was achieved in 1951 at Silverstone by Argentine's Froilan Gonzales

Overall, the ACM has received 170 entries for its event, and among those is 2012 Spanish GP winner Pastor Maldonado who will drive a 1937 Maserati 4CM in the Serie A pre-war class. Hopefully, the priceless car will be covered by an adequate insurance policy...

The Historic Monaco GP is scheduled to take place on April 23-25, or a month before the fifth round of the 2021 F1 World Championship is set to take place in Monte-Carlo.

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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.