1961MotorsportVERIFIED

Phil Hill Takes the Title as Ferrari’s First Constructors’ Crown Is Secured

10 September 1961

Phil Hill won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and became Formula 1 World Champion in Ferrari’s rear-engined 156 F1. Ferrari had also secured its first Constructors’ Championship, but the achievement was overshadowed by the fatal accident that killed team-mate Wolfgang von Trips and spectators during the race.

Stuart Seeger from College Station, Texas, USA — Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0

Phil Hill (left) and Jackie Stewart (right) at the 1991 United States Grand Prix. · Stuart Seeger from College Station, Texas, USA — Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0

Automotive significance

The 1961 season marked Ferrari’s decisive adoption of the rear-engine Formula 1 layout. The 156 F1 exploited the new 1.5-litre regulations and delivered both drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Yet Monza prevents the season from being told simply as a triumph: von Trips entered the race leading Hill in the standings and was killed after contact with Jim Clark’s Lotus. Ferrari withdrew from the final United States Grand Prix. Project Apex therefore treats 1961 as both a technical and sporting peak and a human tragedy.

Heritage meets live inventory

See the Ferrari story in the cars that survive today.

Heritage explains why a car matters. Project Apex inventory shows what is actually available now. Only live, non-demo inventory is shown here.

No live Ferrari inventory is published on Project Apex right now.

The historical collection remains useful even when current stock is empty. Buyer Demand can monitor for the car you actually want.

Buyer Demand

Looking for a specific Ferrari model or generation?

Start with the marque, add the exact model and specification, and let Project Apex monitor real inventory.

Back to Ferrari Heritage