A Non-stop Battle to the Finish!
Six teams filled out the grid for this years Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Lauda and Lotus’ Peterson were racing for leadership of the championship, but they were met by stiff competition from all fronts. In particular, Hunt and Fittapaldi were relentless in pursuit of victory.
Watson had a brilliant qualifying session and placed his blue Maki in the pole position sharing the front row with Peterson in the striking black and gold Lotus. Fittapaldi and Hunt gained positions in the second row. Lauda and Evans revved their engines in the last row.

Peterson and Fittapaldi launch off the start-line with Peterson taking an early lead. While a majority of the drivers formed a conga line behind Peterson in the Curva Grande, Lauda punished his car by rocketing the Ferrari up the inside lane. Lauda succeeded in taking the lead and earning the first lap bonus point.

Hunt seized the initiative and lead most of the second lap. In stark contrast to the first lap Lauda nursed the Ferrari and fell of pace. Person gained the lead, but damaged his brakes and gave the lead back to Hunt who grabbed the second lap bonus point. Fittapaldi and Lauda tried to keep the leaders in site.

Hunt dominated most of the third and final lap pulling away from Person in the ailing Lotus. Lauda completed an pass through on Peterson in the Parabolica pulling up in the inside lane next to a very surprised Hunt. Then Lauda exceeded the Ferrari’s top speed and won the race in a photo finish.
Race details follow:
1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/20/160/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/180/5 S*
3rd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/60/20/160/5 S
4th Tom V. (R. Peterson) 60/40/20/180/5 S
5th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/180/4 S
The next and final race of the season will be US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.