Rush to Glory: FORMULA 1 Racing's Greatest Rivalry (58 page)

The last photographs taken of Niki Lauda, conferring with Clay Regazzoni, in the Ferrari 312T2 before his accident at the German Grand Prix. It could clearly be seen that Lauda was not happy competing on the Nürburgring. He did not think it was safe.

Niki Lauda had few doubts that he would be world champion racing driver again in 1976. He was at the top of his form, and his Ferrari 312T2 car was one of the greatest cars ever built in Formula One. But he suffered from management problems in the team, which disturbed his happiness and caused him periods of great self-doubt.

Danielle Audetto (center) talks to Niki Lauda before he goes out to race in the German Grand Prix. Lauda had just signed a lucrative new contract for the 1977 season and didn’t have much time for Audetto’s management and motivation methods.

Niki Lauda, from second on the grid, makes a bad start at the German Grand Prix and falls farther behind the Tyrrell of Jody Scheckter.

Niki Lauda did not compete at the Austrian Grand Prix because of injuries received at the previous race in Germany. However, his presence was everywhere in big posters erected by the organizers to celebrate their national hero, including a big one opposite the Tyrrell-Ford pit area at the Österreichring.

James Hunt tried his best to take full advantage of Niki Lauda’s absence from his home race in Austria, but he could not stop a resurgent John Watson from scoring his first victory.

John Watson tried desperately to win two grand prix on the trot in the Netherlands. But unreliability stopped him in his tracks as he chased down James Hunt’s McLaren in Holland before retiring.

James Hunt with a local journalist in the pit lane at the Austrian Grand Prix.

James Hunt wins the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on his birthday weekend, on Sunday, August 29, 1976. The celebrations in the sand dunes followed.

James Hunt gets offline and onto the dirt as he drives to victory at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

Niki Lauda, the reigning champion, led the world championship from the first race to the last, until almost the very last lap of the season. But “almost” became the crucial word in the Austrian’s dictionary.