5 October in Ferrari history: Niki Lauda wins at Watkins Glen

5 October marks the winning conclusion to Niki Lauda’s first championship season. He won the 1975 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, adding a final victory to the campaign that had already brought him the drivers’ title.

1975: Niki Lauda defeats both McLarens

Niki Lauda completed the 59-lap race ahead of Emerson Fittipaldi and Jochen Mass. The winning Ferrari finished 4.943 seconds clear of the runner-up, while Clay Regazzoni retired in the other Scuderia car.

Watkins Glen was the final round of the championship. With the title already secured, the result gave Niki Lauda a winning finish to the season rather than a title-clinching victory.

A fifth win completes the campaign

The United States success followed earlier victories in Monaco, Belgium, Sweden and France. Those five wins formed the backbone of Niki Lauda’s first world championship with Ferrari.

The sequence also shows the variety of venues at which he succeeded: a tight street circuit, several European permanent tracks and the season finale in the United States. His championship year ended with another direct victory over the McLaren team.

Explore the complete season alongside his other Ferrari campaigns in our Niki Lauda Formula 1 records and statistics.

Ferrari events on 5 October

Find more championship-season anniversaries in the Ferrari history calendar.