No car-wash
Fiorano, September 1973. Niki Lauda, who has just signed a contract with the Scuderia Ferrari, washes his new company car, a Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, in front of Enzo Ferrari’s villa (photo above).
The Austrian driver, at the wheel of his BRM, impressed the Commendatore throughout the season, proving faster than his experienced teammates Beltoise and Regazzoni. It was his excellent performances in Monaco and at the Nürburgring, along with Clay Regazzoni’s recommendations, that finally convinced Enzo Ferrari.
After a disastrous 1973 season, Scuderia Ferrari needed a fresh start, and Niki Lauda, a master of car development, guided Mauro Forghieri in his technical choices.
The result: a highly competitive Ferrari 312 B3-74. Niki Lauda won his first two Grands Prix driving it, and Clay Regazzoni finished second in the drivers’ championship, just behind Fittipaldi and his McLaren. Ferrari was back, on the right track.
