Race and classic pictures

When Lauda and Ferrari reached the bitter end

©WRI

On this day in 1977, Jody Scheckter won the Canadian Grand Prix but it was another event that marked the weekend in Mosport back then.

For many, the association between Ferrari and Niki Lauda was the perfect partnership between a team and a driver, a match made in heaven.

But lingering conflicts and bitter disputes, which had started the year before following Lauda's decision to retire from the 1976 Japanese GP and hand the title to James Hunt, had taken their toll on the Austrian's relationship with the Scuderia and with Enzo Ferrari.

By the Canadian Grand Prix, Lauda had had enough. On the eve of the penultimate round of the 1977 World Championship, the great Austrian simply walked out on his team, and never came back.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Lawson ‘nearly crashed ten times” in sketchy Sao Paulo GP

Liam Lawson fought through relentless rain and nearly unmanageable conditions at the Sao Paulo Grand…

8 hours ago

Piastri: Extreme conditions in Sao Paulo made for ‘dangerous’ race

Oscar Piastri admits that last weekend's chaotic Sao Paulo Grand Prix was “amongst the toughest…

9 hours ago

Optimistic Zhou discussing ‘a number of options’ to stay in F1

Departing Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu remains optimistic about his F1 prospects and is actively exploring…

11 hours ago

The driver Enzo Ferrari labeled 'a really great one'

Peter Collins was born on this day in 1931. A handsome young man from Kidderminster,…

12 hours ago

Herbert hits back at Jos Verstappen: ‘I’ll criticize anyone I want’

In an escalating war of words between former F1 drivers, FIA steward Johnny Herbert has…

13 hours ago

Bottas bids farewell to Sauber, could reunite with Mercedes

Valtteri Bottas's time at Sauber is coming to an end. After three seasons with the…

14 hours ago