Lauda makes it four out of six in the Principality

©WRI

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©WRI

On this day in 1976, Niki Lauda's charge to the world championship title continued unabated at the wheel of Ferrari's beautiful 312T2, the Scuderia driver heading home in Monaco an armada of seven Ford-powered cars.

Mind you, the number of spinning wheels making up the top three was 16 rather than 12 as Tyrrell's Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler completed the podium.

The victory was Lauda's fourth win of the season, his eleventh career triumph in F1 and his second in the Principality with the Scuderia.

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.