Le Mans and Scala lover

Phil Hill (1927-2008) was the first American race car driver to win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He holds a very special place in motor sport history.  By the time he signed with Ferrari, this great music lover had become a regular at the Scala de Milan operas and even brought music to listen to when he was racing.

In 1961, he became the only driver in motorsports to win in the same year the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Formula 1 World Drivers’ title. Hill took the start of the great endurance race eight times at the wheel of a Ferrari, from 1955 to 1962. In 14 participations, he made it to the checkered flag three times… but three times as a winner!

These three victories (1958-61-62) were shared with the same teammate, Belgian driver Olivier Gendebien. It was the birth of one of the greatest duos in Le Mans history. In 1962 (picture below), the pair aboard their works Ferrari 330 TRI/LM won the race 5 five laps ahead of the Ferrari 250 GTO of Noblet and Guichet, winners in the GT Class.