Best of the Cahier Archive: 1961 Formula 1 Season

Submitted by Rich Fowler on January 14, 2011

This is the latest in our series of photo specials showcasing the stunning images from the Cahier Archive. The collection, by photographers Bernard Cahier and his son Paul-Henri are part of a massive collection of 400 000 originals of which 17 000+ pictures are currently available on their website.

Today’s feature gallery contains images from the 1961 Formula 1 Season

The first year of the 1.5-litre formula was dominated by a well-prepared Ferrari team. Only Stirling Moss, in an outdated Lotus, was able to beat the Ferraris on two tracks where his skills offset the Ferrari power advantage.

Giancarlo Baghetti in a privately-entered Ferrari won the French Grand Prix on his championship debut, the only driver to have done so other than Nino Farina, winner of the first F1 World Championship race. Baghetti had also won his only two previous Formula One races, the non-championship events at Syracuse and Naples, but the French race was his only win in the World Championship.

The contest for the championship between Ferrari’s leading drivers, Phil Hill and Wolfgang von Trips, ended in tragedy when von Trips collided with Jim Clark at Monza, killing the Ferrari driver and 14 spectators. Hill went on to win the championship, the first American to do so. In fact American drivers filled three of the top five positions at seasons end.

1. Phil Hill – Ferrari 156 – USA

2. Wolfgang von Trips – Ferrari 156- Germany

3. Stirling Moss – Lotus Climax 18/21- UK

4. Dan Gurney – Porsche 718 – USA

5. Richie Ginther – Ferrari 156- USA

Buy prints of these photographs from just $49