Lauda drove the race of his life. He carved through the field, passing cars on the outside of the treacherous, guardrail-lined circuit. By lap 30, he was hunting Fittipaldi. The crowd held its breath.
That left Fittipaldi and Lauda.
As Reutemann took the checkered flag, Emerson Fittipaldi cruised across the line in 4th place. That was enough. He had done the math. By finishing 4th, he clinched his second World Championship by just three points over Lauda. 1974 f1 season
Meanwhile, Carlos Reutemann (who else?) won the race, but nobody cared. Lauda drove the race of his life
What’s your favorite memory of the 1974 season? Was Fittipaldi a deserving champion, or was Lauda the faster man? Let us know in the comments. The crowd held its breath
The American fans got a shock. Local hero Mario Andretti (driving a Parnelli) snatched pole position. The title contenders lined up behind him: Fittipaldi 2nd, Lauda 6th, Regazzoni 9th.
But then, fate intervened. Lauda’s Ferrari started to sound… sick. A vibration. A misfire. An exhaust valve was failing. He had to back off.