Phil Hill

Phil Hill

• Full Name: Philip Toll Hill, Jr.
• Born: April 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, USA.
• Died: August 28, 2008, in Monterey, California, USA, due to Parkinson’s disease.
• Nationality: American
• First Grand Prix: France 1958
• Last Grand Prix: Mexico 1964
• Best Finish: 1st place
• Best Grid Position: 1st place
• World Champion: 1961

Career Highlights

• Total Formula 1 Involved: 55
• Grand Prix Starts: 47
• No Starts: 9
• Teams: Drove for several teams, including Ferrari, which was his most notable association.
• Wins: 3 (6.38% win rate)
• Podiums: 16 (34.04% podium finish rate)
• Pole Positions: 6 (12.77% pole position rate)
• Fastest Laps: 6 (12.77% fastest lap rate)
• Career Points: 98
• Points per Grand Prix: 2.09
• Points per Season (average): 14.00
• Laps Led: 171
• Kilometers Led: 1,528
• Laps Raced: 2,401
• Kilometers Raced: 14,037
• Average Starting Grid Position: 9.06
• Average Finish Position: 5.03

Phil Hill in Formula 1, highlighting his championship positions, wins, and podium finishes from 1958 to 1964. Notably, his peak in 1961, marked by winning the World Championship, is a standout moment in his career.

Notable Achievements

• Phil Hill was the first American to win a Formula 1 World Championship.
• Known for his smooth driving style and analytical approach to racing.
• Hill’s victory in the 1961 Italian Grand Prix clinched his world championship title.
• Also successful in sports car racing, notably winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times.
• Post-retirement, Phil Hill became a prominent figure in the classic car world and contributed to automotive journalism.

Personal Life and Legacy

• Hill’s passion for motorsport started early, initially showing an interest in classic cars and restoration.
• He was known for his love of music and was a jazz aficionado.
• Phil Hill’s contribution to motorsport, especially his success in Formula 1 and endurance racing, cemented his legacy as one of the great American drivers in the history of the sport.
• His son, Derek Hill, followed in his footsteps and pursued a career in motor racing.
• Phil Hill’s death in 2008 was marked by tributes from the motorsport community, acknowledging his impact on the sport both on and off the track.

Phil Hill’s career in Formula 1, though not extensive in terms of the number of races, was marked by significant achievements, including his historic 1961 World Championship win, making him a revered figure in American motorsport history.