Brucelee
09-02-2008, 16:55
Formula One Driver Phil Hill
Dies
Associated Press
August 29, 2008 11:30 a.m.
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Phil Hill, the only American-born Formula One champion, has died. He was 81.
Associated Press
Mr. Hill died Thursday at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula of complications from Parkinson's disease, said friend John Lamm, a noted automotive photographer and editor-at-large with Road & Track magazine.
Mr. Hill was the 1961 Formula Open champion and a three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner.
Mr. Hill won the 1961 Formula One title by a point over Wolfgang von Trips, the Ferrari teammate who was killed in the team's final race of the year. Mr. Hill won three F1 races, taking the Italian Grand Prix in 1960 and 1961 and the Belgian Grand Prix in 1961.
Mario Andretti is the only other American F1 champion. He was born in Italy.
After retiring as a driver in 1967, Mr. Hill worked as a racing commentator for ABC and a contributing editor for Road & Track magazine, and devoted time to classic cars and auto restoration.
Mr. Hill, also a three-time winner of the Sebring 12-hour race, was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991.
Dies
Associated Press
August 29, 2008 11:30 a.m.
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Phil Hill, the only American-born Formula One champion, has died. He was 81.
Associated Press
Mr. Hill died Thursday at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula of complications from Parkinson's disease, said friend John Lamm, a noted automotive photographer and editor-at-large with Road & Track magazine.
Mr. Hill was the 1961 Formula Open champion and a three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner.
Mr. Hill won the 1961 Formula One title by a point over Wolfgang von Trips, the Ferrari teammate who was killed in the team's final race of the year. Mr. Hill won three F1 races, taking the Italian Grand Prix in 1960 and 1961 and the Belgian Grand Prix in 1961.
Mario Andretti is the only other American F1 champion. He was born in Italy.
After retiring as a driver in 1967, Mr. Hill worked as a racing commentator for ABC and a contributing editor for Road & Track magazine, and devoted time to classic cars and auto restoration.
Mr. Hill, also a three-time winner of the Sebring 12-hour race, was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991.