Turning point
Niki Lauda took out another loan to buy his way into the BRM F1 team in 1973. The BRM P160E had an efficient chassis and reacted well to the changes in set-up required by the Austrian, but it was not reliable and the engine lacked power.
Nevertheless, Niki was instantly quick and the perception one had about him gradually evolved. Observers stopped to call him a pay-driver, and started to understand his immense potential.
The 1973 Monaco Grand Prix (picture above) was a turning point in Niki Lauda’s career. He qualified sixth in front of Jacky Ickx’s Ferrari and in front of his highly rated team mates at BRM, Clay Regazzoni and 1972 race winner Jean-Pierre Beltoise. He then drove an excellent race and by lap 24 Lauda was up in third position when his gearbox failed. It is said that this performance was noticed by Enzo Ferrari.
When his BRM team mate Clay Regazzoni left to rejoin Ferrari in 1974, Enzo Ferrari asked him what he thought of Niki. Clay spoke so favourably of Lauda that Ferrari promptly signed him, (picture below with Luca di Montezemolo) paying him enough to clear his debts.