1975 F1 Racing Season
Formula 1 Races at the Nurburgring, Zeltweg, Monza and Watkins Glen
Oct 2, 2008
Lauda Sets New F1 Record at the Nurburgring
At the Nurburgring in early August, 1975, Niki Lauda became the first man to lap the fearsome track in less than seven minutes. In the race he looked set for another victory, until tyre problems forced him to pit. Patrick Depailler, who had held second place, suffered suspension failure. The win therefore went to Carlos Reutemann in a Brabham. In second place was Jacques Laffite, driving for the perennially under funded team run by Frank Williams. It was the first ever appearance of a Williams driver on a Formula 1 podium. Lauda had to be content with third place.
Brambilla Wins and Crashes in Austrian GP
Once again, rain played a pivotal role in a Grand Prix at the 1975 Austrian event. Lauda led from pole but was passed by Hunt, who in turn was passed by Vittorio Brambilla. The Italian drove an inspired race from eighth on the grid to score the only Grand Prix victory of his career. The rain meant that the race was stopped early and half points awarded. Comically, Brambilla lost control of his March after taking his hands off the wheel to celebrate crossing the line, and slid into a barrier. Hunt retained second place and Tom Pryce was third, the Welshman’s over-steering style being perfectly suited to the conditions.
On the Tuesday after the Austrian race there was tragic news. Mark Donohue, the accomplished and popular American driver, passed away. Donohue’s Penske entered March had crashed in the warm-up session at Zeltweg. Although Donohue was apparently fine after the crash (he spoke to Emerson Fittipaldi), complications from a head injury he had received claimed his life.
Lauda and Ferrari Win F1 Title at Monza
Everything was set in September for Lauda and Ferrari to claim the World Championship in Italy. At Monza Lauda qualified on pole with team-mate Regazzoni alongside for company. Regazzoni soon passed Lauda and was never headed again. Defending champion Fittipaldi put up a valiant fight and passed Lauda for second, but it was not enough. Lauda became the first Ferrari driver to win the World Championship since John Surtees in 1964.
With the cancellation of the Canadian Grand Prix the only race left on the 1975 calendar was at Watkins Glen. Lauda finished his season in style, winning from pole. Fittipaldi was second but infuriated by the behaviour of Lauda’s team-mate Regazzoni who had blatantly delayed the Brazilian when about to be lapped. Jochen Mass, in another McLaren, completed the podium.
Hill and Brise Killed in Plane Crash
Although the season was over the racing world was hit by another tragedy in late November. Returning from a test session at Paul Ricard, Graham Hill’s private plane crashed on its approach to Elstree aerodrome near London. Hill, his young driver Tony Brise, designer Andy Smallman, team manager Ray Brimble, mechanics Tony Alcock and Terry Richards all perished in the accident.
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