1974 German Grand Prix

Championship standings

With exactly two-thirds of the championship gone, the title is an extremely close four-way battle. Lauda leads with 38 points, just one ahead of Fittipaldi, with Regazzoni and Scheckter three points further back.

Previous race

At Brands Hatch, Lauda led the majority of the race until suffering a late puncture. The lead fell to Scheckter, who held on to win. Fittipaldi finished second, Ickx third.

Circuit

Since last year’s race, the Nürburgring’s main straight has been widened and resurfaced. New FIA regulations requiring safety walls at all sanctioned events have also prompted changes: the bushes lining the straight have been replaced with Armco barrier, with a sandy run-off surface alongside.

Entrants

Larry Perkins, Ian Ashley, and Jacques Laffite make their World Championship debuts this weekend.

Practice

Howden Ganley suffered a serious accident during Friday practice. The rear suspension failed on his Maki at Hatzenbach, pitching the car into the Armco. The nose section was ripped off and Ganley’s legs were left dangling from the front of the car. He climbed out unaided but collapsed at the fence with serious ankle injuries. Ganley has retired from Formula One as a result.

Qualifying

Lauda takes pole position — his 68th for Ferrari, breaking the record previously held by Lotus. Regazzoni lines up alongside, locking out the front row for Ferrari, with Fittipaldi third and Scheckter fourth.