A true legend leaves the F1 world

Phil Hill, a legend in motorsport and the only American to become a Formula 1 world champion, passed away last night in a California hospital following complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 81 years old.

He won the world championship with Ferrari in 1961, becoming the first American to do so. He would later be followed by Mario Andretti, but Hill remains to this day the only native American to have won the title.

« It’s a sad day, » reported Carroll Shelby, a close friend of Hill, for the Los Angeles Times.

Hill was born in Miami, Florida, on April 20, 1927. His family had moved to Santa Monica, California, and he spent most of his life in that region.

He was admitted to university but never completed his studies. He then turned to motorsports, initially as a mechanic.

In 1958, he joined Scuderia Ferrari, also securing his first victory at Le Mans in a Ferrari.

Will follow 48 Grand Prix in F1 where Hill will win three. He also had a brilliant career in endurance racing by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times. He retired from sports in 1967. Hill was then inducted into the International Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1991.

He attended F1 races several times during the season and was well-liked in the paddocks.