F1
52 years ago, Niki Lauda flew to his first F1 victory at Jarama
© DPPI
On April 28, 1974, on the hills of Madrid at the Jarama circuit, a 25-year-old Austrian named Niki Lauda (Classic Ferrari for sale) signed his first Grand Prix triumph Formula 1, thus beginning a list of 25 victories which would lead him to a triple world title.
The qualifying sessions for the event were marred by an accident caused by Denny Hulme, whose McLaren slips on the oil and hits a track marshal. In the midst of this chaos, Lauda, at the wheel of the Ferrari 312 B3, snatches pole position by a hair.
The start, given under a light rain that hems the track with a treacherous veil, saw Ronnie Peterson (Lotus) leap into the lead despite his wheels spinning in the nascent humidity ahead of the Ferraris of Niki Lauda and his teammate Clay Regazzoni (Ferrari) in third position.
As the track dried out several laps later, the leaders were forced to swap their tires for new ones, better suited to the weather. The pit stop was crucial. The Scuderia, more experienced in this area thanks to its previous experience in Endurance, offers its driver a lightning-fast pit stop of just 35 seconds. Niki Lauda emerges behind Jacky Ickx (Lotus), the new race leader, but the Belgian then has to return to the pits, leaving the way clear for the Austrian's red machine.
He quickly set the pace, breaking away for a solo ride while Regazzoni watched over him like a loyal lieutenant, the two Ferraris speeding along the Madrid asphalt. Enzo Ferrari's men gradually increased their lead, lapping the entire field a lap and some unlucky drivers two, until Niki Lauda crossed the finish line 35 seconds ahead of his teammate. He thus secured a one-two finish for the Maranello team, on the 28the of the Scuderia in Grand Prix.
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vincent moyet
29/04/2026 at 11:46 a.m.
That year, Lauda was still a fiery young driver (albeit already an excellent development driver), and Regazzoni wasn't yet a loyal lieutenant. In fact, it was Regazzoni who fought for the title until the very last race at Watkins Glen against Fittipaldi. But Rega would soon have to concede to his exceptional teammate by 1975 and leave the Scuderia at the end of 76, replaced by Reutemann.
Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)
28/04/2026 at 08:38 a.m.
Niki Lauda, a driver… and an exceptional man… ‼️ As many know… I had the chance to meet him several times privately, and I must say he's an incredible man. For his comeback, he demonstrated all his talent, winning his third title, ahead of Alain Prost… Afterwards, he had an exceptional career, first as an advisor at Ferrari, then at Mercedes. Simply put, hats off to him 🧢 for this career! ‼️ I have many photos of Niki in my office, and I think of you every day!!!! Thank you for saying that I had the chance to know you 👍👍👍 Thank you… Niki… 🧢. 😎 alainkf1@pt.lu