Phil Hill

Phil Hill was the first American-born driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship, taking the title with Ferrari in 1961. Born in Miami on 20 April 1927 and raised in California, the thoughtful, articulate Hill brought a distinctly American voice to the European-dominated grand prix world and remains a landmark figure in his nation's motorsport history.

Hill clinched the 1961 crown for Ferrari at Monza, in a season overshadowed by the death of his team-mate and title rival Wolfgang von Trips in the same race. Over his career he scored 3 wins, 16 podiums, 6 pole positions and 98 points from 51 starts, the bulk of it with Ferrari, with later spells including drives for ATS, Cooper-Climax and Lotus-BRM. He was also a magnificent sports car driver, a multiple winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours with Ferrari.

He raced into the mid-1960s before retiring, and lived a long life as one of motorsport's most respected elder statesmen until his death in 2008. His 1961 title made him a pioneer, and no American had matched the feat for decades.

Hill was a sensitive, intelligent racer who thought deeply about his craft, smooth and consistent rather than reckless, and equally at home over the punishing distances of endurance racing. As the first American to win the Formula 1 title he blazed a trail for his countrymen, and his combination of grand prix and sports car success makes him one of the most complete drivers his country has produced.