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19:37 GMT, Friday, 29 August 2008 20:37 UK

Former US F1 champion Hill dies

Phil Hill

Phil Hill, the first American driver to win the Formula One world title, has died in California aged 81.

Hill was crowned world champion in 1961 after the death of his Ferrari team-mate and championship rival Wolfgang Von Trips at the Italian Grand Prix.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said: "All employees of Ferrari are extremely saddened by the passing of a man who gave so much to Ferrari."

Mario Andretti, in 1978, is the only other American Formula One champion.

Hill won only three Grands Prix in his Formula One career, all with the Italian team, and only two in his championship season.

McLaren team chief Ron Dennis said: "For all who knew him, Phil will for ever be cherished as a perfect gentleman and a man who embodied the true sporting values of motor racing.

"We who were privileged to have met him will remember him fondly wherever we race, but most of all at Monza, on the tarmac of whose famous autodromo he became world champion 47 years ago."




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