Niki Lauda: the man who put Ferrari back on track

The Scuderia ended an 11-year title drought, largely thanks to Niki Lauda.

Legendary, mythical, a winning machine: since its creation, Ferrari has been one of the most inspiring teams in motorsport, with an impressive track record. From the 1950s, when the championship was first established, the Scuderia won several drivers' titles with Alberto Ascari (1952, 1953), Juan Manuel Fangio (1956), Mike Hawthorn (1958), Phil Hill (1961), and John Surtees (1964). At the same time, the prancing horse brand won the constructors' championships that accompanied the last two drivers' titles. After Surtees' triumph, however, Ferrari entered a long period of decline. Although the team remained competitive and often fought for the title, Maranello's record of success ceased to grow as rapidly as before.

An ultimatum that paid off As Ferrari continued its quest for glory, a young Austrian entered Formula 1 through the back door, paying for his own seat. That man was Niki Lauda. His early races were unremarkable, but a brilliant performance at the 1973 Monaco Grand Prix propelled the No. 21 BRM into the spotlight. He battled Jacky Ickx for a place on the podium and caught the attention of Enzo Ferrari, who signed him for the following season. Enzo didn't realize it yet, but he had made a wise choice. Upon his arrival in Maranello in 1974, Lauda set his sights on bringing the team back to the top. During pre-season testing, the Austrian complained that the famous red car was underperforming, which he considered unacceptable given Ferrari's resources. Enzo's response was blunt: gain two seconds per lap or lose your seat. A week later, new tests were organized and Lauda delivered on his promise. His 312 B3 was transformed.

Eleven years later During that season, the improved car allowed Lauda to become a real contender for the title, even though bad luck and rookie mistakes cost him dearly. He bounced back the following year. After a quiet start, “the computer” – as he was nicknamed – woke up in Monaco, then won three consecutive races, before James Hunt ended his streak at Zandvoort. Lauda bounced back, won another race in France, smashed the Nürburgring record with a lap in under 7 minutes, and clinched the championship in front of the tifosi at Monza. He ended the season in style with a win at Watkins Glen and raised the bar even higher in 1976. My priority was to put Reutemann in his place and secure first place in the team. By the third race of the season, that was more or less done,” he later wrote. In the first nine Grand Prix races of 1976, the Austrian won five times and went into the German Grand Prix with a 23-point lead over his main rival, James Hunt. After his accident, he missed several races and only returned at Monza, where Carlos Reutemann—whom Lauda described as “a good driver, but nothing exceptional”—was the team's third driver. From that point on, his relationship with Enzo deteriorated and Lauda was no longer considered the undisputed number one. His voluntary retirement at Fuji did not help matters, and his seat for 1977 was uncertain. However, he was recalled with the promise that Reutemann would be the team's lead driver. Motivated, Lauda had a clear mission: “My priority was to put Reutemann in his place and secure first place in the team. By the third race of the season, it was more or less done.” As the season progressed, he grew tired of the team management and, after winning the title at Monza, he signed with Brabham at Zandvoort (Netherlands). He left Ferrari abruptly, telling Enzo, “I don't want to stay here. ” The adventure lasted only four years, but it allowed the Scuderia to win three constructors' titles and two drivers' titles. Furious, Enzo Ferrari made “a few pointed remarks” to his former driver and refused to speak to him before the 1982 Imola tests.