Biography

Von Trips died at the 1961 Italian Grand Prix when the rear wheels of his Ferrari collided with the front wheels of the Lotus of Jim Clark after von Trips shifted sideways. The Ferrari spun twice and went into the guardrail, bounced back, struck the Lotus, then and spun into the crowd. Von Trips was thrown from the Ferrari, and 15 spectators were killed.

Born a Count, his ancestral home was Hemmersbach, a moated castle in Horrem (Kerpen, Germany). First built in 980, it was granted to Franz Adolph Berghe von Trips in 1751 because he was descended from the family which had owned it from 1326-1621. Von Trips lived there with his mother, who moved out after his death. Today, Hemmersbach is rented out to businesses for meetings, seminars, and workshops.

Idolized by Jochen Rindt. Ironically, Rindt and von Trips were killed at Monza.

Michael Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher learned to race on the go-kart race track von Trips established in 1961, which was bought by their father.

Ex-Formula One racing driver, who raced for: Ferrari (1956 (Not Started)-1957 (3 GPs)-1958 (6 GPs)-1959 (1 GP)-1960 (8 GPs)-1961 (7 GPs)), Porsche (1959 (1 GP)) and Scuderia Centro Sud (1960 (1 GP)). He started 27 Grands Prix, 2 Wins, 1 Pole Position, 6 Podiums and 56 Points. Best ranked in the World Championship: 2nd in 1961.