Paul Richard “Richie” Ginther
Paul Richard Ginther – Early Years and Introduction to Racing
- Birth: August 5, 1930, Hollywood, California, USA
- Early Career: Began in sports cars with privately entered Ferraris.
- Significant Achievement: Second place in the Carrera Panamericana in 1954.
Ferrari Years
- 1959: Joins Scuderia Ferrari as an official driver.
- 1960: Secures second in the 1000 km Buenos Aires and scores a point in his F1 debut at Monaco. Finishes 2nd in the Italian GP, leading ahead of Phil Hill.
Peak Years in Formula One
- 1961: A strong season with podium finishes including a 3rd place in Belgium and the UK, contributing to a Ferrari-dominated podium.
- 1962: Switches to BRM with a challenging start but secures podiums in France and a 2nd place in Monza.
- 1963: Achieves vice-champion status alongside teammate Graham Hill, with multiple podium finishes.
Honda and Later Career
- 1964: Continues strong performances with a second place in Monaco and Austria.
- 1965: Joins Honda, leading the first two laps in the Belgian and Dutch GPs, and clinches his first F1 victory at the Mexican GP – a first for Honda as well.
- 1966: Competes with Cooper-Maserati and Honda, finishing 4th in the Mexican GP.
Career Stats
- Best World Championship Rank: 3rd in 1963.
- Grand Prix Starts: 52 (58 involvements).
- Wins: 1 (1.92% win rate).
- Podiums: 14 (26.92% podium rate).
- Pole Positions: 0.
- Fastest Laps: 3 (5.77%).
- Retirements: 14 (26.92%).
Retirement and Legacy
- Retirement: After unsuccessful attempts to qualify in Monaco and Indianapolis in 1967, Ginther retired from professional racing.
- Death: September 20, 1989, Bordeaux, France, due to a heart attack at age 59.
- Legacy: Known for his skillful driving and as one of the prominent American drivers in F1 during the 60s.
Richie Ginther, a significant figure in American motorsport history, combined skill and determination to leave an indelible mark in the world of Formula 1 racing.
