Dutch Grand Prix 1961 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Wolfgang von Trips claimed his first victory of the season at Zandvoort, leading home a Ferrari one-two that demonstrated the Italian team's technical superiority and set the tone for their dominant championship campaign. The charismatic German aristocrat, known affectionately as "Taffy" to his friends and teammates, drove with controlled aggression to master the challenging Dutch seaside circuit. Von Trips's Ferrari 156 "shark nose" proved ideally suited to Zandvoort's combination of fast sweeping corners and technical sections, where the car's superior handling and power gave him a decisive advantage over the Lotus and Cooper opposition. The victory launched von Trips into championship contention and established him as Ferrari's leading driver in what would tragically be his final season.

Phil Hill secured second place to complete Ferrari's perfect result, demonstrating the depth of the Italian team's driver lineup. Jim Clark claimed his first podium finish of the season with an excellent third place in his Lotus-Climax, showcasing the smooth, precise driving style that would soon make him the sport's dominant force. The young Scot's performance confirmed the promise he had shown in his breakthrough 1960 campaign, even as he learned his craft against more experienced rivals. The race highlighted Ferrari's engineering triumph with their rear-engine design, which had transformed the prancing horse from struggling front-engine manufacturer to championship favorite in just one winter. Von Trips's victory at Zandvoort marked the beginning of a title challenge that would end in tragedy at Monza, but for now the German was riding high on a wave of confidence and speed.