The first and only American to win the Formula One World Championship, in 1961 racing for Ferrari, died last week at the age of 81. Phil HIll was a somewhat reluctant racer, competing at a time when tragic accidents and death were sadly common events at the races. It was in this dangerous environment that Hill raced with intensity and determination, while being nervously mindful of the grave risks he faced and famously saying with regards to surviving his 20-year racing career injury-free, “I could not have been trying hard enough.” In addition to the 1961 F1 World Championship, Hill also had victories at the Le Mans and Sebring 24-hour races and the Nurburgring 12-hour, among many others.
Besides being remembered as a great racer and representative of the sport, he was universally regarded as a quiet, reserved, and gracious winner. He had an incredible sense of vehicle mechanics and dynamics, a sense that was revered by his competitors and surely a skill that gave him a clear edge while racing. Racing was not Phil Hill’s only passion, though, as he was also an accomplished photographer, musician, writer, historian, and archivist.
I have a portrait of Phil Hill racing at the Italian Grand Prix in 1961 hanging in my home.
RSS Feed
