test2wa

Formula 1

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has paid tribute to former F1 world champion Phil Hill, who died at the age of 81.

Hill passed away in a Salinas-Monterey Hospital on California following a short illness resulting from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Hill contested 48 grands prix between 1958 and 1966, claiming the 1961 world championship for the Scuderia. He won three F1 races, all for Ferrari, with two of those victories coming at the Italian Grand Prix.

The American also won the Le Mans 24 Hours driving for the famous Italian marque.

"I, as well as all employees of Ferrari, am extremely saddened by the news of the passing of Phil Hill, a man and a champion who gave so much to Ferrari and who has always greatly represented the company's values inside and outside the racing track," Di Montezemolo said in a statement.

"Phil raced and won many competitions both with prototype cars, like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, won three times each, as well as with F1 single seaters.

"With our car, Phil won the Formula One Championship title in 1961 as the first American-born to reach this result.

"Phil and I have always kept in touch throughout the years and I know I will miss his passion and love for Ferrari very much."