American · Miami, Florida, United States · Born 20 April 1927Phil Hill was an American racing driver who became the first American-born Formula 1 World Champion in 1961, driving for Ferrari, and remains the only U.S.-born driver ever to win the title.
Philip Toll Hill Jr. was born on April 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, and grew up in Santa Monica, California, where an isolated, anxious childhood led him to find an early outlet in mechanics and music before discovering motor racing. He won the SCCA national championship in 1955 and moved to Europe to race sports cars, joining Ferrari's factory team and winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in 1958. Hill made his Formula One debut with Ferrari in 1958 and won his first Grand Prix at Monza in 1960. The 1961 season, raced under new 1.5-litre regulations that gave Ferrari's 'Sharknose' 156 a decisive advantage, developed into a title fight between Hill and his German teammate Wolfgang von Trips. At the penultimate round, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, von Trips was killed in a horrific first-lap collision that also claimed 15 spectators; Hill went on to win the race and, with it, the World Championship, a triumph forever overshadowed by his teammate's death. Hill remained with Ferrari through 1962 but his enthusiasm waned, and he moved between several smaller teams before retiring from Formula One in 1966. Away from Grand Prix racing, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times in total (1958, 1961, 1962) and, with his 1964 24 Hours of Daytona victory, became the first driver in history to complete motorsport's 'Triple Crown' of endurance racing. Known for his intelligence, sensitivity, and outspoken caution about the sport's dangers, Hill later worked as a respected automotive journalist and restorer, and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991.
First and only American-born Formula 1 World Champion, in 1961
How They Played
Cautious, mechanically sympathetic driver renowned for meticulous preparation and disciplined racecraft
Lasting Impact
America's greatest road-racing champion, whose title win remains bound to the tragedy of teammate Wolfgang von Trips's death
Career Honours
- F1 World Champion (1961)
- 3x 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (1958, 1961, 1962)
- First driver to complete motorsport's Triple Crown of endurance racing
- International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1991)
| Constructor | Season(s) | Races |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari | 1958–1962 | — |
| ATS | 1963 | — |
| Cooper | 1964 | — |
| Eagle | 1966 | — |
| Career Total | — | 0 |
American Athletes