Hunt and Hesketh Defeat Lauda at Zandvoort
In a season plagued by wet races it rained again at Zandvoort for the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix. Ferrari had secured the front row in qualifying with Niki Lauda on pole and Clay Regazzoni beside him. It was Lauda who led initially, pursued by Jody Scheckter’s Tyrrell, the South African having passed Regazzoni.
As the track began to dry James Hunt was the first to pit for slicks, just as he had been in Monaco the previous month. This time the gamble paid off and, once the stops were completed, the Englishman led in his Hesketh. Lauda had been more cautious and pitted several laps later. He proceeded to tear through the field until he found himself on the gearbox of Hunt’s car. Despite sustained pressure Hunt did not crack, scoring a maiden victory for himself and the colourful little Hesketh team. Regazzoni drove a solid race in the other Ferrari to finish third.
Lauda Wins F1 Race in France
Lauda was back on top at the next Grand Prix in France. Starting from pole at Paul Ricard, Lauda led to the flag, but it was not an easy victory. Early in the race Scheckter held second but was struggling for pace. When Hunt and Jochen Mass passed the Tyrrell they were able to match Lauda’s pace and just three seconds covered the trio at the finish.
Fittipaldi Scores Victory While Rivals Crash at Silverstone
It was Silverstone’s turn to host the British Grand Prix in 1975 and rain caused havoc in the race. In dry qualifying Tom Pryce had taken an unexpected but highly popular pole position for Shadow, with Carlos Pace joining him at the front of the grid. A notable absentee from the paddock was Jacky Ickx, who had left Lotus, disillusioned with the outdated type 72.
Pace managed to get ahead of Pryce at the start but, before long, it started to rain. While many drivers pitted for wet tyres, Emerson Fittipaldi elected to stay on slicks. His decision was vindicated when the sun came out a short time later. By this time Hunt had assumed the lead in front of his home crowd on a Silverstone circuit that featured a new chicane, designed to slow the cars at the final corner. It was not the chicane, however, that caused the mayhem which ensued.
Fittipaldi, noticing an ominously dark cloud at the far end of the circuit, dived into the pits for wet tyres. It was a tactical masterstroke, as a sudden downpour occurred at Club corner. Car after car aquaplaned helplessly off the track into the catch fencing while Fittipaldi drove carefully around. The race was stopped early and Fittipaldi declared the winner. Pace was second and Scheckter third. They, along with fourth placed Hunt (who suffered from a broken exhaust) and fifth placed Mark Donohue, were fortunate. The positions were decided at the end of the lap before they all crashed out.
Review of the 1975 Formula 1 season continues here.
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