The 1975 Formula One season was the 29th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1975 World Championship of Drivers and the 1975 International Cup for Formula 1 Manufacturers. The season was contested over 14 races. Niki Lauda and Ferrari dominated the season, with Lauda winning five consecutive races and clinching his first World Championship title. Ferrari won the Manufacturers' Cup. The season was also marred by tragedy, as American driver Mark Donohue died from injuries sustained during practice for the Austrian Grand Prix.
The 1975 season began at the Buenos Aires circuit. Reigning world champion Emerson Fittipaldi in his McLaren won the race, with James Hunt second and Carlos Pace third. Jean-Pierre Jarier took pole position for Shadow but retired early.
The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos saw local hero Carlos Pace take his only Formula One victory, driving for Brabham. Emerson Fittipaldi finished second and Jody Scheckter third. Pace led home a Brazilian one-two to the delight of the home crowd.
Niki Lauda won the Monaco Grand Prix for Ferrari, starting a remarkable streak of five consecutive victories. He took pole, fastest lap, and led every lap. Emerson Fittipaldi and Carlos Reutemann completed the podium. This victory marked the beginning of Ferrari's and Lauda's total dominance of the 1975 season.
Niki Lauda won the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, his fourth consecutive victory following Monaco, Belgium, and Sweden. James Hunt finished second for Hesketh and Emerson Fittipaldi third. Lauda's dominance was becoming overwhelming as he extended his championship lead.
![Circuit Park Zandvoort, 4,226 km, layout 1973-1979 [(https://web.archive.org/web/20100603204811/http://www.circuit-zandvoort.nl/info/track_data/] (layout check and mapped with google maps, aerial view: http://imageshack.us/f/505/3094001bf5.jpg/)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Circuit_Park_Zandvoort-1973.svg/500px-Circuit_Park_Zandvoort-1973.svg.png)
Niki Lauda won the French Grand Prix at the Paul Ricard circuit, his fifth consecutive victory, equalling the record for consecutive wins at the time. Jody Scheckter finished second and James Hunt third. Lauda's championship lead was now virtually unassailable as Ferrari's supremacy continued.
Vittorio Brambilla won the Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring for March, his only Formula One victory, in a race shortened by heavy rain. Tragically, American driver Mark Donohue suffered a fatal accident during practice when a tire failure sent him over the barriers. He died from his injuries two days later on August 19.
Niki Lauda won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, securing his first Formula One World Championship title with three races still remaining. Ferrari also clinched the International Cup for Formula 1 Manufacturers. Emerson Fittipaldi finished second and Carlos Reutemann third. Lauda's title was the first for a Ferrari driver since 1964.
The 1975 season concluded with the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Niki Lauda won his fifth race of the season, capping off his championship-winning year. Emerson Fittipaldi finished second and Jody Scheckter third. Lauda finished the season with 64.5 points, well ahead of Fittipaldi and Scheckter.
