1975 Italian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Lauda leads by 17.5 points with two rounds remaining.

Previous race

At the Österreichring, Brambilla won a rain-shortened race in chaotic conditions, the race stopped on lap 29 of 54 with only half points awarded. Lauda had led early before Hunt stormed through to take over; Brambilla then seized the lead and held it to the flag. Only six cars were classified at the finish. Lauda’s sixth place meant he still extended his championship lead over Reutemann and Fittipaldi, who did not score.

Between-race developments

Mark Donohue, who crashed in Sunday morning warm-up at the Österreichring, died in hospital two days after the Austrian Grand Prix from the brain injuries he sustained. He was 38.

John Watson has been released from Surtees to drive for the Penske team, replacing Donohue for the remainder of the season.

Championship permutations

Lauda needs only to finish better than sixth to clinch the championship. Reutemann, the only other driver mathematically eligible for the title, must win both this race and the United States Grand Prix with Lauda failing to score in each.

Entrants

Arturo Merzario replaces Wilson Fittipaldi in the Fittipaldi car; Wilson is still recovering from the hand injuries he suffered in Austrian practice.