STORY OF THE DAY: Von Trips Opens His Title Season with a Podium

Wolfgang Von Trips finished third in the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix, driving the number 40 Ferrari 156 F1/65. Stirling Moss won for Rob Walker’s Lotus after resisting Ferrari’s challenge, while Von Trips began what became his strongest World Championship season with a podium finish.

Moss’s older Lotus was less powerful than the new Ferraris, but his pace through Monaco’s corners kept the pursuing cars behind. Richie Ginther led Ferrari’s principal attack and finished second, while Von Trips completed the podium, ensuring that two of the new 156s scored strongly on their championship debut.

The rear-engined Ferrari 156 was designed for the new 1.5-litre Formula One rules and used a 65-degree Dino V6 in this early form. Its light tubular chassis, compact dimensions and distinctive twin-nostril bodywork produced one of the defining Grand Prix cars of the season.

German aristocrat Wolfgang Von Trips matured into Ferrari’s leading championship contender during 1961. Experienced in the Scuderia’s sports and single-seater teams, he combined bravery with growing consistency; third place at Monaco established the foundation for the two victories that soon carried him into the title lead.