From pay driver to glory

Niki Lauda joined the March F2 team in 1971, bringing a budget from an Austrian bank, and was quickly promoted to the F1 team. For 1972, he drove in both categories for the works team.

The F2 cars were competitive, and the Austrian impressed team boss Robin Herd with his driving skills and great comprehension of the car, but his sponsorship money was still required in order for him to stay in the team.

F1 however was a disaster, the car just being too slow, and he couldn’t match his team-mate’s Ronnie Peterson pace who struggled also with this car.

By the end of the season, running out of money, Lauda decided to join BRM, bluffing his way into Louis Stanley’s team, promising a sponsor arrival that never was.

Luckily, his performances were outstanding, running 3rd for a while at the Monaco Grand Prix, catching the attention of Enzo Ferrari.

The rest is history.