French GP Movie

To supplement this month’s feature story on the 1961 French Grand Prix we offer this nearly 20-minute clip in summary of the event, with excellent explanatory commentary to guide viewers through the entire race weekend. It provides a good perspective on not only the race at hand, but also the ways in which Grand Prix racing was done half a century ago.

Reims was a classic open-road circuit through the French countryside whose long undulating straights placed a premium on top speed, and the film captures this aspect of the race very well. Among the action shown is leader Phil Hill’s Ferrari making a quick spin (and subsequent stall) that gently collects the trailing Stirling Moss, costing the American a lap and, consequently, the race.