1975 United States Grand Prix

Previous race

At Monza, Regazzoni won for Ferrari with Lauda third — the 1.5 points Lauda scored were enough to clinch the 1975 Drivers’ Championship and secure the Constructors’ Cup for Ferrari, their first since 1964. It was the first Formula One championship either title had been won on Italian soil in front of the Ferrari tifosi since the 1950s.

Between-race developments

The Canadian Grand Prix, originally on the calendar as the penultimate round, has been cancelled. Race organisers arrived in the Watkins Glen paddock with a writ to freeze prize money over unresolved legal disputes with the Formula One Constructors’ Association. Disputes with the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association over transfer fees and wages add to the tensions surrounding the weekend.

Circuit changes

A chicane has been added at the bottom of the hill entering the esses — named the “Scheckter chicane” after the Tyrrell driver who proposed it. The modification follows François Cevert’s fatal accident at that section two years ago; the chicane is expected to add nearly five seconds to lap times and requires drivers to learn the new layout throughout the weekend.

Entrants

John Watson drives the brand-new Penske PC3, the team’s first purpose-built car since Watson joined to replace Mark Donohue.

Milestones

Ferrari have won eight poles, five races, and both championships in 1975, but have never won the United States Grand Prix. No driver has ever won the American race in the same season he claimed the title.