«One of us will have to go»: Niki Lauda dominates Monaco 1976 with this Ferrari... while the Scuderia plots against him

The E series of the historic Monaco Grand Prix corresponds to single-seaters from the years 1973-1976, powered by atmospheric 3-liter engines. This was the heyday of the Cosworth V8, which powered a large majority of the cars on the grid. Ferrari stands out with its 12-cylinder flat-bottom engine. This series is nicknamed “Niki Lauda”, in homage to the Austrian champion who put the Scuderia back on track and profoundly marked this period of F1. A chassis used at the Spanish and Monaco Grand Prix during the crazy 1976 season was driven here by Chris McAllister.

Success, but without the heat

Recruited by the Commendatore at the end of 1973, Lauda quickly silenced the skeptics and made the most of the new 312T designed by Mauro Forghieri. In 1975, he brought the title back to the Scuderia, after an 11-year drought and John Surtees“ 1964 triumph. However, the mood in the reds was not so happy. The Austrian's character and outspokenness offended the Italian press, and within the Scuderia, an ”Italian" clan seemed to prefer the Italian-born Swiss Clay Regazzoni. In 1976, sports management was taken over by Daniele Audetto, who had previously been Lancia's rally director. Audetto was seconded to Ferrari as team manager, Montezemolo having been recalled to Fiat as a senior executive. The relationship between Daniele Audetto and Niki Lauda was difficult to establish, with the Austrian convinced that Clay Regazzoni would be favored as No.1, despite his intrinsic superiority on the track.

An awkward backhoe

Just before the Spanish Grand Prix, Niki Lauda suffers a domestic accident. While working on his property, the backhoe he was operating overturned, nearly killing him. His ribs were severely injured. The story gets out. In addition to the mockery, some of the press, particularly in Italy, doubted his ability to recover quickly and pushed for the recruitment of a transalpine driver, while some of the Ferrari staff pushed for Clay Regazzoni to become No. 1. Lauda felt betrayed by these manoeuvres, especially as Enzo Ferrari seemed to be letting the situation fester. In Spain, Lauda cut ties with the Italian press, having created controversy by telling a journalist that «Italian pilots are only good enough to drive around their village church.» In other words, he also alienated his peers on the peninsula, including Arturio Merzario, who felt that the Austrian had blocked his path to the Scuderia in 1974. Yet it was Merzario who saved him from the flames a few months later...

Untouchable

In Monaco, Lauda takes his second pole position of the season ahead of his teammate Regazzoni. The Ferraris occupy the front row and dominate the competition. His mind was elsewhere, however, as his wife Marlene suffered a miscarriage. The internal situation became more complicated when Niki Lauda quarreled over possible race instructions in favor of Clay Regazzoni. “At the end of the year, one of us will have to leave, that's obvious.»  says-he told his entourage about the sporting direction. Meanwhile, he dominated the entire race, leading all 78 laps.

Ronnie Peterson, the only man who could have challenged him, retired after hitting the rail, while his team-mate had a messy race. He won by 11’’ over Jody Scheckter and seemed unbeatable for the title. Fate would have it otherwise on the Nürburgring...