Starting money not for everyone

The 1961 Belgian Formula One Grand Prix was held on 18 June 1961 at Spa-Francorchamps. The organisers of the race invited 25 entries, but were only going to pay starting money for 19: sixteen pre-selected cars plus the three fastest of the remaining nine.

Picture above: John Surtees in his Cooper-Climax, at La Source Hairpin, during the 1961 Belgian Grand Prix, at Spa-Francorchamps. The Brit had qualified in fourth position, behind three Ferraris, with Phil Hill on pole, and he finished the race fifth.

The race was completely dominated by the Scuderia Ferrari and its 156’s, with the four works drivers, finishing 1-2-3-4. This was the last time any constructor achieved such a score in an F1 race.

Of the four works Ferraris, three cars were red – for Hill, von Trips and Ginther – and Gendebien’s car (picture below) was painted in yellow, the Belgian racing colours. He finished a good fourth.