Belgian Grand Prix 1961 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Ferrari achieved a stunning clean sweep of the podium at Spa-Francorchamps, with Phil Hill leading home teammates Wolfgang von Trips and Richie Ginther in a dominant display that showcased the Italian team's complete superiority. Hill's victory on the fearsome Belgian circuit, with its ultra-fast sections through the Ardennes forest, demonstrated both his courage and technical skill as he tamed the 14-kilometer layout at speeds exceeding 150 mph. The American's mastery of Spa, one of the most dangerous circuits in motorsport, was particularly impressive given the minimal safety features and trees lining the public roads. Hill's performance established him as a serious championship contender, evening his points tally with von Trips as the season reached its midpoint.

Von Trips maintained his championship lead with a solid second place, showing the consistency that characterized his title challenge throughout the season. Ginther completed Ferrari's perfect afternoon with third place, giving the team maximum points and leaving rivals in no doubt about the 156's competitive advantage. The all-Ferrari podium was a powerful statement of intent, demonstrating that the prancing horse had successfully adapted to the rear-engine revolution that had caught them flat-footed the previous year. The British teams returned home empty-handed, facing the reality that Ferrari's technical resurgence had shifted the competitive balance back toward Italy. The Belgian Grand Prix stood as the high-water mark of Ferrari's 1961 dominance, a race where their speed, reliability, and driver talent combined to deliver an unassailable result.