1961 United States Grand Prix

Previous race

The Italian Grand Prix was marred by one of the worst tragedies in the history of motor racing. On the second lap, approaching the Parabolica, Wolfgang von Trips collided with Jim Clark’s Lotus. Von Trips’s Ferrari was launched through the spectator fencing, killing von Trips and fifteen spectators. The race was not stopped, reportedly to avoid a mass departure that would have blocked roads needed by rescue workers. Phil Hill won, and with von Trips gone, became the first American driver to win the Formula One World Championship. Ferrari also clinched the Constructors’ Championship.

Between-race developments

Having secured both championships, Ferrari chose not to make the transatlantic trip to Watkins Glen. Phil Hill will not race.

Entrants

The Ferrari withdrawal opens the field significantly. The back of the grid is filled by North American drivers in uncompetitive privately entered cars: Walt Hansgen, Roger Penske, Hap Sharp, Jim Hall, Lloyd Ruby, and Canadian Peter Ryan. Penske’s Cooper is painted in bright DuPont Anti-Freeze yellow — one of the first instances of commercial sponsorship livery in Formula One.

There had been considerable doubt about whether the race would take place; the FIA did not grant the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corporation final approval until 28 August. This is the first running of the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, which will host the race continuously until 1980.

Milestones

Howard Hughes visited the pits during the weekend to meet with John Cooper about expanding his car manufacturing business. A photograph taken of Hughes in the pits would later be identified as the last known photograph of him.

Practice

Brabham and Moss both have the new Climax V8 engine available. Moss posted a lap of 1:17.2 with the V8 in qualifying but decided the car handled better with the older four-cylinder unit and switched back, dropping him to the second row. Brabham took pole with a 1:17.0. Graham Hill’s BRM lines up alongside Brabham on the front row. Moss and Bruce McLaren share the second row.

Ireland, starting eighth, had a troubled practice — a steering failure on Friday, then a gearbox failure on Saturday before he could post a serious lap time.