The 1961 Formula One season was the 15th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1961 World Championship of Drivers and the 1961 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, which were contested concurrently over an eight-round series that commenced on 14 May and ended on 8 October. The season was dominated by Ferrari, with Phil Hill becoming the first American to win the World Championship of Drivers. The season is also remembered for the tragic death of German driver Wolfgang von Trips at the Italian Grand Prix.
Stirling Moss driving a Lotus 18 won the Monaco Grand Prix, beating the dominant Ferrari team in a thrilling race.
Phil Hill won the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, securing the first victory for the new Ferrari 156 'Sharknose' and taking the lead in the championship.
![Circuit Park Zandvoort, 4,193 km, layout 1948-1972 [(https://web.archive.org/web/20100603204811/http://www.circuit-zandvoort.nl/info/track_data/]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Circuit_Park_Zandvoort-1948.svg/500px-Circuit_Park_Zandvoort-1948.svg.png)
Giancarlo Baghetti won the French Grand Prix on his World Championship debut, driving a Ferrari. He remains the only driver to win their first World Championship Formula One race.
Tony Brooks won the British Grand Prix at Aintree, driving a Ferrari 156. This would be the final World Championship victory of Brooks' career.
Phil Hill won the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, extending his championship lead over his Ferrari teammate Wolfgang von Trips.
Phil Hill won the race and the World Championship, but the event was marred by tragedy. On lap two, Wolfgang von Trips collided with Jim Clark, causing von Trips' Ferrari to crash into the crowd, killing the driver and 14 spectators.
Innes Ireland won the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, driving a Lotus 21. This was the first World Championship victory for Team Lotus.
