1975 Monaco Grand Prix

Championship standings

The championship is tightly contested between Fittipaldi and Pace after four rounds.

Previous race

Spain was stopped on lap 29 after Rolf Stommelen’s rear wing failed and his Hill flew over a barrier into a spectator area, killing four people — a fireman, a spectator, and two photo-journalists. Stommelen suffered a broken leg, broken wrist, and cracked ribs. Jochen Mass was declared winner, with Jacky Ickx second and Reutemann third. Only half points were awarded. Fittipaldi did not start, having left for home on Sunday morning over safety concerns. Lella Lombardi finished sixth and became the first — and to date only — woman to score a championship point in Formula One.

Between-race developments

The future of Grand Prix racing at street and temporary circuits is under scrutiny following Spain. Monaco has moved quickly: extra guard rails and catch fences are erected, kerbing is resited, and the chicane is modified. The grid is staggered and reduced to just 18 cars — down from the usual larger field.

Practice

Five-time Monaco winner Graham Hill is struggling: practice problems have left him outside the 18-car cutoff. John Watson and Clay Regazzoni collide in practice. The Surtees team is ordered by officials to remove pro-Europe political stickers from its cars.

After failing to qualify by 0.377 seconds, Hill announces his retirement as a racing driver after 17 seasons and 176 starts, to concentrate on running his Embassy Hill team.