To supplement this month’s feature story on the 1961 French Grand Prix we offer this nearly 20-minute clip in summary of the event, with excellent explanatory commentary to guide viewers through the entire race weekend. It provides a good perspective on not only the race at hand, but also the ways in which Grand Prix racing was done half a century ago.
Reims was a classic open-road circuit through the French countryside whose long undulating straights placed a premium on top speed, and the film captures this aspect of the race very well. Among the action shown is leader Phil Hill’s Ferrari making a quick spin (and subsequent stall) that gently collects the trailing Stirling Moss, costing the American a lap and, consequently, the race.
With the other Ferraris of Wolfgang von Trips and Richie Ginther succumbing to engine trouble, the Scuderia’s honor was left to be upheld by GP debutante Giancarlo Baghetti who saves the day in classic fashion, passing Dan Gurney’s Porsche on the run to the checker. Have a look, it will be worth your time.
