1961 Formula One season

Last updated

Contents

Phil Hill (pictured in 1966) won his first and only championship, driving for Ferrari Phil Hill en 1966.jpg
Phil Hill (pictured in 1966) won his first and only championship, driving for Ferrari

The 1961 Formula One season was the 15th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 12th World Championship of Drivers, the 4th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and numerous non-championship Formula One races. The World Championship was contested over eight races between 14 May and 8 October 1961.

Phil Hill driving for Ferrari won his first and only Drivers' Championship after his teammate and rival Wolfgang von Trips was killed during the Italian Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the season. [1] Hill was the first American-born champion (and, so far, the only one, because 1978 champion Mario Andretti was born in Italy). Ferrari won its first Manufacturers' Championship. [2]

New regulations only allowed naturally aspirated engines with a maximum capacity of 1,500 cc (92 cu in), [3] effectively adopting the Formula Two engine rules as used from 1957 to 1960. The English teams threatened to boycott, because the change was communicated only shortly before the season started, but the protests subsided. [4] Although Enzo Ferrari was opposed as well, the manufacturer got it right by designing their first mid-engined car, the legendary 156 "Sharknose", and won five out of the eight championship races. [5]

Besides Wolfgang von Trips, two other F1 drivers died this year: Italian Giulio Cabianca during a test at the Modena Autodrome and Briton Shane Summers during the non-championship Silver City Trophy.

Teams and drivers

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1961 FIA World Championship. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Dunlop.

EntrantConstructorChassisEngineDriverRounds
Flag of Germany.svg Porsche System Engineering Porsche 787
718/2
Porsche 547/3 1.5 F4 Flag of Sweden.svg Jo Bonnier All
Flag of the United States.svg Dan Gurney All
Flag of Germany.svg Hans Herrmann 1, 6
Flag of Germany.svg Scuderia Colonia Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Michael May 1, 4, 6
Flag of Germany.svg Wolfgang Seidel 3, 5–7
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Equipe Nationale Belge Emeryson-Maserati 61 Maserati Tipo 6 1.5 L4 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olivier Gendebien 1
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Lucien Bianchi 1
Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 3
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Willy Mairesse 3
Emeryson-Climax 61 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg André Pilette 7
Flag of the United States.svg Camoradi International Cooper-Climax T53 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United States.svg Masten Gregory 1–5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ian Burgess 6
Lotus-Climax 18 2–5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Owen Racing Organisation BRM-Climax P48/57 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Brooks All
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Hill All
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg R.R.C. Walker Racing Team Lotus-Climax 18
18/21
21
Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss All
Ferguson-Climax P99 5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Fairman 5
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Yeoman Credit Racing Team Cooper-Climax T53 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Surtees All
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roy Salvadori 4–8
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper Car Company Cooper-Climax T55
T58
Climax FPF 1.5 L4
Climax FWMV 1.5 V8
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham All
Flag of New Zealand.svg Bruce McLaren All
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Team Lotus Lotus-Climax 21
18
18/21
Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark All
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland 1, 3–8
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Trevor Taylor 2
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Willy Mairesse 4
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg UDT Laystall Racing Team Lotus-Climax 18
18/21
Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cliff Allison 1, 3
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henry Taylor 1, 3–5, 7
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Lucien Bianchi 4–5
Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Bordeu 4
Flag of the United States.svg Masten Gregory 7–8
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olivier Gendebien 8
Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC Ferrari 156 Ferrari 178 1.5 V6
Ferrari 188 1.5 V6
Flag of the United States.svg Richie Ginther 1–7
Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill 1–7
Flag of Germany.svg Wolfgang von Trips 1–7
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olivier Gendebien 3
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Willy Mairesse 6
Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Ricardo Rodríguez 7
Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Serenissima Cooper-Maserati T51 Maserati Tipo 6 1.5 L4 Flag of France.svg Maurice Trintignant 1, 3–4, 6–7
De Tomaso-OSCA F1 OSCA 372 1.5 L4 Flag of Italy.svg Giorgio Scarlatti 4
De Tomaso-Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.5 L4 Flag of Italy.svg Nino Vaccarella 7
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ecurie Maarsbergen Porsche 718 Porsche 547/3 1.5 F4 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Carel Godin de Beaufort 2–7
Flag of Germany.svg Hans Herrmann 2
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg H&L Motors Cooper-Climax T53 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jackie Lewis 3–7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Marsh Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Marsh 3, 5–6
Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Centro Sud Cooper-Maserati T53
T51
Maserati Tipo 6 1.5 L4 Flag of Italy.svg Lorenzo Bandini 3, 5–7
Flag of Italy.svg Massimo Natili 5, 7
Flag of France.svg Bernard Collomb Cooper-Climax T53 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of France.svg Bernard Collomb 4, 6
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim Parnell Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim Parnell 5, 7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gerry Ashmore Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gerry Ashmore 5–7
Flag of the United States.svg Louise Bryden-Brown [6] Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Tony Maggs 5–6
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gilby Engineering Gilby-Climax 61 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Greene 5
Flag of Italy.svg FISA Ferrari 156 Ferrari 178 1.5 V6 Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti 4
Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Sant'Ambroeus Ferrari 156 Ferrari 178 1.5 V6 Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti 5, 7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg J.B. Naylor JBW-Climax 59 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Naylor 7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Fred Tuck Cars Cooper-Climax T45 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Fairman 7
Flag of Italy.svg Scuderia Settecolli De Tomaso-OSCA F1 OSCA 372 1.5 L4 Flag of Italy.svg Roberto Lippi 7
Flag of Italy.svg Isobele de Tomaso De Tomaso-Alfa Romeo F1 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.5 L4 Flag of Italy.svg Roberto Bussinello 7
Flag of Italy.svg Pescara Racing Team Cooper-Maserati T45 Maserati Tipo 6 1.5 L4 Flag of Italy.svg Renato Pirocchi 7
Flag of Italy.svg Gaetano Starrabba Lotus-Maserati 18 Maserati Tipo 6 1.5 L4 Flag of Italy.svg Gaetano Starrabba 7
Flag of the United States.svg Hap Sharp Cooper-Climax T53 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United States.svg Hap Sharp 8
Flag of the United States.svg John M. Wyatt III Cooper-Climax T53 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Penske 8
Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965).svg J. Wheeler Autosport Lotus-Climax 18/21 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965).svg Peter Ryan 8
Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hall Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hall 8
Flag of the United States.svg J. Frank Harrison Lotus-Climax 18 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United States.svg Lloyd Ruby 8
Flag of the United States.svg Momo Corporation Cooper-Climax T53 Climax FPF 1.5 L4 Flag of the United States.svg Walt Hansgen 8

Team and driver changes

John Surtees (no. 12) replaced Tony Brooks (no. 5) at Reg Parnell Racing. Surtees and Brooks at 1961 Dutch Grand Prix.jpg
John Surtees (no. 12) replaced Tony Brooks (no. 5) at Reg Parnell Racing.
Phil Hill (no. 1) and Wolfgang von Trips (no. 3) were teammates and championship rivals. Von Trips was fatally injured in the penultimate round of the season. Von Trips and P. Hill at 1961 Dutch Grand Prix.jpg
Phil Hill (no. 1) and Wolfgang von Trips (no. 3) were teammates and championship rivals. Von Trips was fatally injured in the penultimate round of the season.

Mid-season changes

Calendar

Round Grand Prix Circuit Date
1 Monaco Grand Prix Flag of Monaco.svg Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo 14 May
2 Dutch Grand Prix Flag of the Netherlands.svg Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort 22 May
3 Belgian Grand Prix Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot 18 June
4 French Grand Prix Flag of France.svg Reims-Gueux, Gueux 2 July
5 British Grand Prix Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aintree Motor Racing Circuit, Merseyside 15 July
6 German Grand Prix Flag of Germany.svg Nürburgring, Nürburg 6 August
7 Italian Grand Prix Flag of Italy.svg Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza 10 September
8 United States Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Watkins Glen International, New York 8 October

Calendar changes

Regulation changes

Technical regulations

Formula One effectively adopted the Formula Two engine regulations, as used from 1957 to 1960, by reducing the maximum engine capacity to 1,500 cc (92 cu in) and only allowing naturally aspirated engines. Furthermore: [3] [5] [16] [17] [18]

Safety regulations

Numerous technical innovations were made mandatory from the aspect of safety: [5] [17] [18]

Sporting regulations

The number of championship points awarded to a race winner was increased to nine. [17] [18] [19]

Championship report

Pre-season non-championship races

Before the 1961 Formula One season was to start in Monaco in mid-May, many non-championship races were held throughout Europe. The first was the Lombank Trophy, a joint Formula One and Intercontinental Formula race, at the fast 2.7-mile Snetterton circuit in eastern England. Most of the top drivers of the day, such as Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Phil Hill and Wolfgang von Trips were in the United States competing in the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring sportscar race. Still, two top drivers—John Surtees and defending champion Jack Brabham—were in attendance. Brabham won the race in an Intercontinental Cooper while Surtees finished third, first of the Formula One entrants.

A week later, the Glover Trophy at the fast Goodwood circuit in southern England was held, with Surtees winning in a privately entered Cooper, ahead of Graham Hill in a works BRM, Surtees's teammate Roy Salvadori in a Cooper and Moss in a Rob Walker-entered Lotus. On the same day, the Pau Grand Prix in southwest France was won by Clark driving a works Lotus. Six days later, the Brussels Grand Prix at Heysel Park was won by Brabham in a works Cooper. Seven days after that, Moss won the Vienna Grand Prix in Austria, held at an aerodrome in Aspern, Vienna. Six days later, on a Friday, the Aintree 200 in Liverpool was won by Brabham in wet conditions, and three days later, the prestigious Syracuse Grand Prix in Sicily was won by Giancarlo Baghetti in a Ferrari – his first ever Formula One race.

Race 1: Monaco

The 1961 Formula One season did not officially start until May, eight days after the BRDC race in England. Practice saw Clark crash his Lotus heavily at turn one, and Lotus's woes continued when Innes Ireland crashed in the tunnel during the final session, destroying his car and breaking his leg. Moss took pole in his Rob Walker Lotus with Richie Ginther's Ferrari and Clark's Lotus sharing the front row. Graham and Phil Hill shared the second row. This particular Monaco Grand Prix turned out to be a classic, with one of the greatest driving performances in the history of Formula One by Stirling Moss in a privately entered Lotus against three Ferraris with a lot more power but worse handling than the Lotus. [20] [21]

At the start, Ginther took the lead from Clark and Moss, but Clark soon had to pit with fuel pump problems, and so Jo Bonnier and Dan Gurney took third and fourth in their Porsches. On Lap 14, both Moss and Bonnier were able to pass Ginther, and 10 laps later Phil Hill passed both Ginther and Bonnier to move into second but there was no way he was going to catch Moss, who was driving one of the greatest races of his illustrious career. [20] [21] Towards mid-distance Ginther fought back, passing Hill for second and chasing after Moss, closing the gap to just three seconds. Moss responded, driving on the limit the entire way and eventually won the race. Hill finished third and Wolfgang von Trips was classified fourth despite crashing on the last lap.

The 19th Naples Grand Prix in southern Italy, held on the same day as the Monaco Grand Prix, at the Posillipo Park circuit and it was won by Baghetti- who had won two Formula One races from two starts.

Race 2: Netherlands

There were just eight days between Monaco and the Dutch Grands Prix. The Dutch race was held at the Circuit Zandvoort located in small sand dunes right next to a popular beach 20 miles west of Amsterdam. The injured Innes Ireland was replaced at Team Lotus by Trevor Taylor but otherwise the field was much as it had been at Monaco, with local hero Carel Godin de Beaufort getting a drive in one of the Porsches, entered by his Ecurie Maarsbergen. Ferrari monopolised the front row of the grid with Phil Hill on pole from von Trips and Ginther, while Moss's Walker Lotus and Graham Hill's BRM shared the second row.

At the start, von Trips took the lead with Graham Hill in a works BRM and Phil Hill behind him. Graham Hill soon began to fall back, dropping quickly behind Phil Hill and Clark, who had stormed through the field from the fourth row to run fourth at the end of the first lap. Clark proceeded to battle for second place with the Ferrari and they exchanged places several times before Phil Hill finally asserted himself. Further back Graham Hill battled with Moss and Ginther, but it was von Trips who emerged ahead for most of the race, and won it. On the last lap, however, Ginther went wide when his throttle stuck open and Moss was able to grab fourth.

The 1961 Dutch Grand Prix has a remarkable place in F1 history: every starter finished the race and no-one went into the pits. Such reliability has never been achieved since, made even more remarkable by the fact that Formula One cars were far from reliable machines during a race.

The London Trophy was held at the short, tight and twisty Crystal Palace circuit in London the day after the Dutch Grand Prix, and it was won by Salvadori driving a Yeoman Credit Cooper, whilst another English race, the Silver City Trophy at the undulating and twisty Brands Hatch circuit nearby Crystal Palace was held in wet conditions and was won by Moss in a Walker Lotus, but was marred by the death of 24-year-old Welshman Shane Summers in a Cooper, who was killed almost instantly when he spun at the challenging, anti-cambered Paddock Hill Bend, went off and crashed into a concrete wall near an underground tunnel entrance.

Race 3: Belgium

A year after the traumatic 1960 Belgian Grand Prix, the F1 teams gathered again at the very fast and frighteningly daunting 8.7 mile Spa-Francorchamps public road circuit near Liège with a few changes from the Dutch Grand Prix three weeks previously. Innes Ireland, who had broken his leg at Monaco, was back in action for Team Lotus, which had new Lotus 21s for Ireland and Jim Clark. Ferrari had a fourth car painted up in Belgian racing yellow for Olivier Gendebien, which was being run by Ecurie Nationale Belge, which also had a pair of Emeryson chassis for Lucien Bianchi and Willy Mairesse. These were both damaged in practice and so Bianchi and Mairesse took over the non-qualified Lotus 18's with Tony Marsh and Wolfgang Seidel. British Racing Partnership was also in trouble with only one Lotus 18 to be shared by Cliff Allison and Henry Taylor. The team decided that the fastest driver would race, and as a result Allison went too fast, crashed heavily at Blanchimont, rolled the car and suffered severe leg injuries which would end his F1 career.

Phil Hill took pole with von Trips alongside while Gendebien made the most of his local experience to take third despite using a less powerful engine than the factory Ferraris. Ginther's Ferrari shared the second row with Surtees in Reg Parnell's Cooper-Climax.

Phil Hill took the lead at the start but was then passed by Gendebien while von Trips and Ginther joined in. The four Ferrari cars, well suited to this power circuit thanks to the formidable performance of their 120-degree V6 engines dominated the race and the lead changed several times before Phil Hill took the lead from von Trips and Ginther. Gendebien was fourth giving Ferrari a straight 1-2-3-4 result. Phil Hill fought von Trips all the way and the Phil Hill finished 0.7 seconds ahead of von Trips. Surtees was fifth although he had to battle early in the race with Graham Hill's BRM which eventually went out with electrical trouble. Gurney finished sixth in his Porsche.

Race 4: France

A fortnight after the Belgian GP the F1 teams gathered at the very fast, straight dominated Reims public road circuit for the French Grand Prix in Champagne country. As the French did not bother with the restrictive invitations it was a large field of cars with a variety of unusual privateers. Ferrari had a fourth car, run in the colors of the Federazione Italiana Scuderie Automobilische and driven by Baghetti who arrived at Reims undefeated. There was a new De Tomaso-Osca which was run by Scuderia Serenissima for Giorgio Scarlatti but it was not competitive. It was an all-Ferrari front row with Phil Hill on pole from Wolfgang Von Trips and Ritchie Ginther with the second row being shared by Stirling Moss in his Rob Walker Lotus 18 and Jim Clark in one of the factory Lotus 21s.

The race weekend was held in extremely hot conditions, and the track began to break up at the track's 2 hairpins. The ambient temperature on Sunday/race day was 102 °F (39 °C), and the race turned out to be yet another classic. Hill led from the start with Ginther and Von Trips giving chase but when Ginther spun Moss was able to take third for a while before the American recovered. Further back, there was an exciting slipstreaming battle between seven cars: the two Porsches of Dan Gurney and Jo Bonnier, the factory Lotuses of Clark and Ireland, Graham Hill's BRM (Tony Brooks went out early in the other car with engine trouble), Bruce McLaren's Cooper and the fourth Ferrari of Baghetti. Eventually Ginther passed Moss and he dropped back into this fight because of brake trouble. Then the Ferrari team faltered. Von Trips, who had taken the lead under team orders, stopped with engine trouble on lap 18. Hill took over but spun on lap 38 and stalled his engine, re-joining a lap behind. Ginther lasted only three laps in the lead before he stopped with an engine problem and suddenly the seething battle for fourth place was a fight for the lead. Gradually the challengers dropped away leaving Gurney's Porsche against Baghetti's Ferrari. They changed places lap after lap and on the final lap Baghetti dived out of Gurney's slipstream to pass the American a couple of hundred yards before the finish line. Baghetti thus became the first and, to date, only man to win his first World Championship event.

Race 5: Britain

Thirteen days later the British Grand Prix was held at the Aintree circuit in Liverpool, site of England's Grand National horse race. The field at Aintree was not very different from that which had been seen at Reims, although Rob Walker ran a four-wheel-drive Ferguson for Jack Fairman, although this was also driven by Stirling Moss during practice. There were four Ferraris again, with the unbeaten Giancarlo Baghetti joining the works trio. Qualifying saw Phil Hill, Ritchie Ginther, Jo Bonnier (Porsche) and Wolfgang Von Trips all set identical lap times, while Moss was alongside Von Trips on the second row in his Walker Lotus 18.

The race began in heavy rain with Phil Hill, Von Trips and Ginther getting ahead at the start, chased by Moss and Bonnier. Von Trips took the lead after seven laps, passing Hill. Moss moved to third when Ginther ran wide at one point and then managed to get past Hill for second. He chased Von Trips but was never able to pass him. When the rain stopped Moss began to drop back and would retire with brake problems. This allowed the Ferraris to finish 1-2-3 with Von Trips winning over Hill and Ginther. Jack Brabham, Bonnier and Roy Salvadori (Reg Parnell Cooper) completed the top six. The unbeaten Baghetti crashed out early in the race. Moss took over Fairman's Ferguson after he had retired but was eventually called into the pits and disqualified for having received a push-start.

The Solitude Grand Prix in Germany was held a week after the British Grand Prix on the very demanding and dangerous seven mile Solitude circuit near Porsche and Mercedes-Benz's hometown of Stuttgart. This race was won by Briton Innes Ireland in a works Lotus.

Race 6: Germany

The German Grand Prix, held at the fearsome, twisty, very dangerous and extremely challenging 14.2 mile Nürburgring circuit for the first time since 1958 featured a huge field of cars with Ferrari turning up with four cars, Wolfgang Von Trips, Phil Hill and Ritchie Ginther being joined by Willy Mairesse, although the Belgian had an older engine in his car. Jack Brabham had the new Climax V8 FWMV engine for the first time in his factory Cooper, while Porsche had four cars, Edgar Barth joining Jo Bonnier, Dan Gurney and Hans Herrmann. Qualifying saw Hill record a remarkable lap of 8:55.2 – the first time anyone had lapped the Nordschleife in under nine minutes. This time which was nearly six seconds faster than Brabham's best, with Moss third quickest in his Rob Walker Lotus 18. Bonnier completed the front row in his Porsche. The second row featured Von Trips, Graham Hill in his BRM and Gurney.

The race started in damp conditions and Brabham led the field away only to spin out and crash on that first lap. Phil Hill charged up and took the lead, but Moss passed the American before they reached the finish line to start the second lap. Moss would stay ahead for the rest of the race while Von Trips came up and overtook Hill for second after a long battle. Towards the end of the race it started to rain, but Moss never took off his intermediate tires, and this allowed Moss to extend his lead, and won a superb victory with a Lotus that had superior handling to the Ferrari – essential at the Nürburgring.

There was a three-week break between the German Grand Prix and the Swedish Kanonloppet, a non-championship race near Stockholm, and a week after that, the Danish Grand Prix at Roskilde near Copenhagen and a week after that the Modena Grand Prix near Ferrari's headquarters was held and all three of these races were won by Moss in the Walker Lotus.

Race 7: Italy

The penultimate race of the 1961 World Championship was to be a showdown between two Ferrari drivers. The team had already won the Constructors' title so it was a straight fight between Wolfgang Von Trips and Phil Hill for the Drivers' title although Moss still had a mathematical chance of victory if he won both races. The advantage lay with Wolfgang Von Trips who had 33 points to Phil Hill's 29. The Ferrari team had a new recruit at the Monza Autodrome near Milan, 19-year old Mexican Ricardo Rodriguez taking over the team's fourth car while Giancarlo Baghetti re-appeared in a private Ferrari. Once again Jack Brabham was the only driver with the new Climax V8 engine. Stirling Moss ran his usual Lotus 18 but was not happy with it and Innes Ireland let him have his factory Lotus 21. The organisers, wanting to give the advantage to the Ferrari team decided to use the combined oval/road course again making this Monza the fastest circuit of the year. This circuit had been boycotted by the British teams last year because of the terrible quality of the extremely rough and bumpy concrete banking, which was of such poor quality and design that it even went as far as to badly affect the structural strength and reliability of the cars, particularly in regards to the cars' chassis and suspension but the British teams relented and they all competed in this year's event. As expected the powerful Ferraris were impressive, Von Trips was on pole with Rodriguez second (becoming the youngest driver ever to start a World Championship Grand Prix) ahead of Ginther and Phil Hill with Graham Hill's BRM sharing the third row with Baghetti.

This Italian Grand Prix was to be marred by one of the worst tragedies in the history of motor racing, and would cast a shadow over the Italian Grand Prix for years. At the start, Phil Hill and Ginther managed to get into first and second places followed by Rodriguez, the fast-starting Jim Clark and Von Trips. Approaching the Parabolica the two cars collided. Clark crashed without injury but the Ferrari went through a spectator fence, went up an embankment on the left and was tossed into a roll, into where spectators were standing. Von Trips was thrown from the car, landed on the track, broke his neck and was killed along with 14 spectators. The race organisers decided not to stop the race and the Ferrari team put on a display until Rodriguez, Baghetti and Ginther all stopped with mechanical trouble. This left Phil Hill to win. Of the rest, Brabham went out with engine trouble while Surtees retired after running to the back of Bonnier who had slowed his Porsche at the site of Von Trips's accident. Moss went out with a broken wheel which left Dan Gurney second for Porsche and Bruce McLaren third for Cooper. Jack Lewis drove a marvellous race in his private Cooper to finish fourth ahead of Tony Brooks (BRM) and Roy Salvadori (Parnell Cooper). Von Trips's fatal retirement meant that Phil Hill became the first American to win the Formula 1 World Championship.

Race 8: United States

The only non-European championship race of 1961 was the United States GP, which was being held at the 2.3 mile Watkins Glen circuit in upstate New York for the first time 4 weeks after the tragic Italian race. Having won both World Championships Ferrari decided not to bother crossing the Atlantic, denying Phil Hill the chance to race at the Glen. Not counting the famous Indianapolis 500, run to totally different regulations and not included again on the Grand Prix calendar from 1961 onwards, this was the 3rd time the US GP had been held since the international championship started in 1950, with one off-spells at Sebring in Florida and Riverside in southern California failing to achieve any success. Watkins Glen would continuously host the US GP up until 1980.

Both Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss had the new Climax V8 engine on this occasion but Moss decided after practice not to race it. The field was joined by a number of local stars, notably Hap Sharp and Roger Penske in Coopers and Jim Hall and Ken Miles in Lotuses. Brabham took pole position with Graham Hill alongside while Moss shared the second row with Bruce McLaren in the second factory Cooper.

A paid crowd of 28,000 (total around 60,000) on Sunday made the sponsors extremely happy and also boded well for the race's future. At the start, Brabham led the field off the grid and into the first corner, but before the end of the first lap, Moss had moved by into the lead. These two were followed by Ireland (up from eighth), Hill, Dan Gurney, Masten Gregory and McLaren. On lap three, McLaren moved up to third when Ireland spun on oil at the end of the straight. "I nearly went out of the race," he said. "I went into a whirl, a 360-degree spin, cars were whipping past." He recovered and continued in eleventh.

By lap 10, Ireland had already stormed his way back to fourth, behind McLaren's Cooper, as Moss and Brabham continued to draw away at a second a lap, swapping the lead back and forth. At about one-third distance, on lap 34, Brabham's V8 began to leak water and overheat. With puffs of smoke appearing from the left-side exhaust, the Cooper dropped back from Moss and finally entered the pits on lap 45. After taking on water and returning to the race, Brabham completed only seven more laps before retiring.

Leading now by over 40 seconds, Moss seemed on his way to a comfortable victory. Only he knew, however, that his oil pressure was dropping, and on lap 59, the dark blue Lotus peeled off and retired suddenly, handing the lead to Ireland. Hill was right on the tail of the Scot, hounding him for 15 laps, until he, too, suddenly coasted down the pit lane with a loose magneto wire. The next challenger was Roy Salvadori, who began trimming the lead from 20 seconds down to five with only five laps left. But it was Ireland's day. With just over three laps remaining, Salvadori's privately entered Cooper blew its engine, just as his teammate John Surtees' car had done on the first lap.

Ireland came home under the waving chequered flag of Tex Hopkins, less than five seconds ahead of American Dan Gurney, as Britain's Tony Brooks finished the last GP of his career in third. It was a race of milestones: Innes Ireland's only career win, the first win for Team Lotus, and the first American Grand Prix to turn a profit, ensuring its return in 1962. Unfortunately for Stirling Moss, it would be his last World Championship race, as his career was ended by a heavy accident during the 1962 Glover Trophy race at Goodwood the following April.

Results and standings

Grands Prix

Round Grand Prix Pole position Fastest lap Winning driver Winning constructor TyreReport
1 Flag of Monaco.svg Monaco Grand Prix Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United States.svg Richie Ginther
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax D Report
2 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dutch Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark Flag of Germany.svg Wolfgang von Trips Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari D Report
3 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgian Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of the United States.svg Richie Ginther Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari D Report
4 Flag of France.svg French Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari D Report
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg British Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Brooks Flag of Germany.svg Wolfgang von Trips Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari D Report
6 Flag of Germany.svg German Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax D Report
7 Flag of Italy.svg Italian Grand Prix Flag of Germany.svg Wolfgang von Trips Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari D Report
8 Flag of the United States.svg United States Grand Prix Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax D Report

Scoring system

Points were awarded to the top six classified finishers. Only the best five results counted towards the championship.

The International Cup for F1 Manufacturers only counted the points of the highest-finishing driver for each race, however, the points system from the previous season was retained despite changes to the Drivers' Championship system. Additionally, like the Drivers' Championship, only the best five results counted towards the cup.

Numbers without parentheses are championship points; numbers in parentheses are total points scored. Points were awarded in the following system:

Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th 
Race9/864321
Source: [22]

World Drivers' Championship standings

Pos.Driver MON
Flag of Monaco.svg
NED
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
BEL
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
FRA
Flag of France.svg
GBR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
GER
Flag of Germany.svg
ITA
Flag of Italy.svg
USA
Flag of the United States.svg
Pts.
1 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hill 32P1P9PF2P(3PF)134 (38)
2 Flag of Germany.svg Wolfgang von Trips 412Ret12RetP33
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss 1PF48RetDSQ1RetRet21
4 Flag of the United States.svg Dan Gurney 51062772221
5 Flag of the United States.svg Richie Ginther 2F53F1538Ret16
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland DNSRet410RetRet112
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark 103F123Ret4Ret711
8 Flag of New Zealand.svg Bruce McLaren 612Ret5863411
9 Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti 1RetRetF9
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Brooks 13913Ret9FRet536
11 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Ret6RetRet4RetRetRetPF4
12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Surtees 1175RetRet5RetRet4
13 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olivier Gendebien DNQ4113
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jackie Lewis 9RetRet943
15 Flag of Sweden.svg Jo Bonnier 1211775RetRet63
16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Hill Ret8Ret6RetRetRet53
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roy Salvadori 86106Ret2
Flag of France.svg Maurice Trintignant 7Ret13Ret90
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Carel Godin de Beaufort 1411Ret161470
Flag of Italy.svg Lorenzo Bandini Ret12Ret80
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cliff Allison 8DNS0
Flag of the United States.svg Roger Penske 80
Flag of Germany.svg Hans Herrmann 915130
Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965).svg Peter Ryan 90
Flag of the United States.svg Masten Gregory DNQDNS101211RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Henry Taylor DNQDNS10Ret110
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tim Parnell Ret100
Flag of the United States.svg Hap Sharp 100
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Tony Maggs 13110
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Michael May Ret11DNS0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ian Burgess DNSDNS1414120
Flag of Italy.svg Renato Pirocchi 120
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Trevor Taylor 130
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Marsh DNSRet150
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Greene 150
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gerry Ashmore Ret16Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Wolfgang Seidel DNS17RetRet0
Flag of France.svg Bernard Collomb RetNC0
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Lucien Bianchi DNQRetRetRet0
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Willy Mairesse RetRetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Fairman DSQRet0
Flag of Italy.svg Giorgio Scarlatti Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Massimo Natili Ret0
Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg Ricardo Rodríguez Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Gaetano Starrabba Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Nino Vaccarella Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Roberto Bussinello Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Naylor Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Roberto Lippi Ret0
Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hall Ret0
Flag of the United States.svg Lloyd Ruby Ret0
Flag of the United States.svg Walt Hansgen Ret0
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg André Pilette DNQ0
Pos.Driver MON
Flag of Monaco.svg
NED
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
BEL
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
FRA
Flag of France.svg
GBR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
GER
Flag of Germany.svg
ITA
Flag of Italy.svg
USA
Flag of the United States.svg
Pts
Key
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenOther points position
BlueOther classified position
Not classified, finished (NC)
PurpleNot classified, retired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Excluded (EX)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Withdrawn (WD)
Did not enter (empty cell)
AnnotationMeaning
P Pole position
F Fastest lap

International Cup for F1 Manufacturers standings

Pos.Manufacturer MON
Flag of Monaco.svg
NED
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
BEL
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
FRA
Flag of France.svg
GBR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
GER
Flag of Germany.svg
ITA
Flag of Italy.svg
USA
Flag of the United States.svg
Pts.
1 Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari (2)1111(2)1WD40 (52)
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax 138310110132
3 Flag of Germany.svg Porsche 510(6)2572222 (23)
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax (6)(6)554(5)3414 (18)
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg BRM-Climax 1381369Ret537
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Maserati 7Ret1312Ret80
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gilby-Climax 150
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ferguson-Climax DSQ0
Flag of Italy.svg De Tomaso-OSCA RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Maserati Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg De Tomaso-Alfa Romeo WDRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg JBW-Climax WDRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Emeryson-Maserati DNQWD0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Emeryson-Climax DNQ0
Pos.Manufacturer MON
Flag of Monaco.svg
NED
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
BEL
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
FRA
Flag of France.svg
GBR
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
GER
Flag of Germany.svg
ITA
Flag of Italy.svg
USA
Flag of the United States.svg
Pts

Non-championship races

Other Formula One races also held in 1961, which did not count towards the World Championship.

A pink background indicates an Intercontinental Formula race. A blue background indicates a combined Formula One and Intercontinental Formula race.

Race NameCircuitDateWinning driverConstructorReport
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg II Lombank Trophy Snetterton 26 March Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg IX Glover Trophy Goodwood 3 April Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Surtees Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of France.svg XXI Pau Grand Prix Pau 3 April Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg XIII Lavant Cup Goodwood 3 April Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg III Brussels Grand Prix Heysel 9 April Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of Austria.svg II Vienna Grand Prix Aspern Aerodrome 16 April Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg VI Aintree 200 Aintree 22 April Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of Italy.svg XI Syracuse Grand Prix Syracuse 25 April Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg XIII BRDC International Trophy Silverstone 6 May Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of Italy.svg XIX Naples Grand Prix Posillipo 14 May Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg IX London Trophy Crystal Palace 22 May Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roy Salvadori Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg VI Silver City Trophy Brands Hatch 3 June Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg XXIII British Empire Trophy Silverstone 8 July Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of Germany.svg Solitude Grand Prix Solitudering 23 July Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guards Trophy Brands Hatch 7 August Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Brabham Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cooper-Climax Report
Flag of Sweden.svg VII Kanonloppet Karlskoga 20 August Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of Denmark.svg II Danish Grand Prix Roskilde Ring 26–27 August Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of Italy.svg XV Modena Grand Prix Modena 3 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of Austria.svg III Flugplatzrennen Zeltweg Airfield 17 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg VIII Gold Cup Oulton Park 23 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ferguson-Climax Report
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg V Lewis-Evans Trophy Brands Hatch 1 October Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Marsh Flag of the United Kingdom.svg BRM-Climax Report
Flag of Italy.svg I Coppa Italia Vallelunga 12 October Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Baghetti Flag of Germany.svg Porsche Report
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg V Rand Grand Prix Kyalami 9 December Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg I Natal Grand Prix Westmead 17 December Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg VIII South African Grand Prix East London 26 December Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lotus-Climax Report

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960 United States Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1960 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on November 20, 1960, at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. It was race 10 of 10 in the 1960 World Championship of Drivers and race 9 of 9 in the 1960 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 German Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1961 German Grand Prix was the 23rd time the German Grand Prix motor race was held. The race also held the honorary designation of the 21st European Grand Prix. It was run to Formula One regulations as race 6 of 8 in both the 1961 World Championship of Drivers and the 1961 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers It was held on 6 August 1961 over 15 laps of the giant 14.2 mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit for a race distance of almost 213 miles. The race also celebrated the 100th race since the establishment of the World Championship in 1950.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 United States Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1961 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on October 8, 1961, at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York. It was the eighth and final race in both the 1961 World Championship of Drivers and the 1961 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 French Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1962 French Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Rouen-Les-Essarts on 8 July 1962. It was race 4 of 9 in both the 1962 World Championship of Drivers and the 1962 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The race was won by Dan Gurney, his first Formula One victory, driving a Porsche, that company's only win as a constructor in a Formula One championship race coming after three years of racing. It was the third time that the French Grand Prix was held at Rouen, the previous time being 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 Italian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1962 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monza on 16 September 1962. It was race 7 of 9 in both the 1962 World Championship of Drivers and the 1962 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The 86-lap race was won by BRM driver Graham Hill after he started from second position. His teammate Richie Ginther finished second and Cooper driver Bruce McLaren came in third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 United States Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1962 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on October 7, 1962, at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York. It was race 8 of 9 in both the 1962 World Championship of Drivers and the 1962 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The 100-lap race was won by Lotus driver Jim Clark after starting from pole position. Graham Hill finished second for the BRM team and Cooper driver Bruce McLaren came in third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1963 United States Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1963 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on October 6, 1963, at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York. It was race 8 of 10 in both the 1963 World Championship of Drivers and the 1963 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The 110-lap race was won by BRM driver Graham Hill after he started from pole position. His teammate Richie Ginther finished second and Lotus driver Jim Clark came in third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 Italian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 1966 Italian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monza on 4 September 1966. It was race 7 of 9 in both the 1966 World Championship of Drivers and the 1966 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The race was the 36th Italian Grand Prix and the 32nd to be held at Monza. The race was held over 68 laps of the five kilometre circuit for a race distance of 391 kilometres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 Formula One season</span> 22nd season of the FIAs Formula One motor racing

The 1968 Formula One season was the 22nd season of the FIA's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 19th World Championship of Drivers, the 11th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and three non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over twelve races between 1 January and 3 November 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1967 Formula One season</span> 21st season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 1967 Formula One season was the 21st season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 18th World Championship of Drivers, the 10th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and six non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over eleven races between 2 January and 22 October 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1966 Formula One season</span> 20th season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 1966 Formula One season was the 20th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 17th World Championship of Drivers, the 9th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and four non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over nine races between 22 May and 23 October 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1965 Formula One season</span> 19th season of FIA Formula One racing

The 1965 Formula One season was the 19th season of FIA Formula One racing. It featured the 16th World Championship of Drivers, the 8th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and seven non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over ten races between 1 January and 24 October 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 Formula One season</span> 18th season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 1964 Formula One season was the 18th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 15th World Championship of Drivers, the 7th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and eight non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over ten races between 10 May and 25 October 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1963 Formula One season</span> 17th season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 1963 Formula One season was the 17th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 14th World Championship of Drivers, the 6th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and numerous non-championship Formula One races. The World Championship was contested over ten races between 26 May and 28 December 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 Formula One season</span> 16th season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 1962 Formula One season was the 16th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 13th World Championship of Drivers, the 5th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and numerous non-championship Formula One races. The World Championship was contested over nine races between 20 May and 29 December 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960 Formula One season</span> 14th season of the FIAs Formula One motor racing

The 1960 Formula One season was the 14th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 11th World Championship of Drivers, the third International Cup for F1 Manufacturers and five non-championship Formula One races. The World Championship was contested over ten races between 7 February and 20 November 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959 Formula One season</span> 13th season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 1959 Formula One season was the 13th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 10th World Championship of Drivers, the second International Cup for F1 Manufacturers and five non-championship Formula One races. The World Championship was contested over nine races between 10 May and 12 December 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Ginther</span> American racing driver (1930–1989)

Paul Richard "Richie" Ginther was an American racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1960 to 1967. Ginther won the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix with Honda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giancarlo Baghetti</span> Italian racing driver (1934–1995)

Giancarlo Baghetti was an Italian racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1961 to 1967. Baghetti won the 1961 French Grand Prix in a privateer Ferrari 156, and remains the only driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix on debut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda RA271</span> Formula One racing car

The Honda RA271 was Honda's first Formula One racing car to enter a race. The chief engineer on the project was Yoshio Nakamura, with Tadashi Kume in charge of engine development. It was driven in three races during 1964 by American driver Ronnie Bucknum.

References

  1. "1961 Driver Standings". Formula1.com. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  2. "1961 Constructor Standings". Formula1.com. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 Steven de Groote (1 January 2009). "F1 rules and stats 1960-1969". F1Technical. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  4. "1961: FIRST F1 CONSTRUCTORS' TITLE". Ferrari.com. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Gregor Grant (1 November 2020). "Autosport 70: When F1 rule changes sparked fears of its imminent demise". Autosport. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  6. radnor redivivus (11 January 2006). "Radnorian: Mrs Louise Bryden-Brown". Tredelyn.blogspot.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  7. Sports Datelines, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 1961, Page A5.
  8. "Notice of Death - Henry Taylor". British Racing Drivers Club. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  9. "1961 Italian Grand Prix race report: von Trips suffers fatal accident whilst Hill wins title". Motor Sport. No. 44. October 1961. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  10. "Albino Albertini". Motorsport Memorial. 2005. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  11. Collantine, Keith (9 September 2011). "50 years ago today: F1's worst tragedy at Monza". RaceFans. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  12. Williams, Richard (5 September 2011). "When motor racing really was a matter of life and death". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  13. "Grand Prix Cancelled". Autosport. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  14. David Hayhoe, Formula 1: The Knowledge records and trivia since 1950 – 2nd Edition, 2021, page 35.
  15. David Hayhoe, Formula 1: The Knowledge records and trivia since 1950 – 2nd Edition, 2021, page 36.
  16. Edd Straw (5 February 2022). "5 times F1 teams got the new regulations right". Formula1.com. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 Denis Jenkinson (7 July 2014). "The Racing Season Begins". Motorsport Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 Whitelock, Mark (10 August 2006). One and a Half Litre Grand Prix Racing, 1961–65: Low Power, High Tech. Veloce. pp. 15, 34. ISBN   9781845840167 . Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  19. Automobile Year 1961–1962, page 116
  20. 1 2 Osten, Phillip van (18 May 2015). "Monaco 1961 - Moss' most sterling drive". F1i.com. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  21. 1 2 "7 incredible season openers from each decade of F1". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  22. "World Championship points systems". 8W. Forix. 18 January 2019. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2020.