America’s first Formula One champion, Phil Hill, passed away in the Salinas-Monterey Hospital (California) on Thursday at the age of 81 due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Hill took the drivers crown for Ferrari back in 1961, winning Le Man’s for the Prancing Horse before being signed on as their F1 racer in 1958. Hill raced in a time that saw many deaths in the sport, including that of his teammate, Wolfgang Von Trips and fourteen spectators during the Italian Grand Prix in 61, the race where Hill was actually crowned champion.

Although never seriously injured himself, this tragedy made him look at his life in a different light and his career went downhill until he eventually retired from racing in the pinnacle of Motorsports in 64. During his time as a racer, Hill won the 24 hours of Le Mans a total of three times, and the 12 hours of Sebring three times.

Returning to California after a short tenure in sports cars, Hill had no regrets and started his own car restoration business.

"In retrospect it was worth it. I had a very exciting life and learned an awful lot about myself and others that I might never have learned. Racing sort of forced a confrontation with reality. Lots of people spend their lives in a state that is never really destined to go anywhere," he was quoted as saying on the sports official website.

He leaves behind a wife and son and will be sadly missed by many in the racing world. In fact, as soon as he got word of Hill's passing, Ferrari's president Luca di Montezemolo sent his condolences…

"I, as well as all employees of Ferrari are 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. Phil Hill 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. My deepest sympathies are with his wife Alma and son Derek in this sad moment."

RIP Mr Hill, you were one of the sports great champions.