37 years ago today, Niki Lauda kick-started his first World Championship charge on the streets of Monte Carlo.

The Austrian driver's victory broke a 20-year drought for the Scuderia at Monaco. It was also the first win for the new Ferrari 312T its first win.

Lauda grabbed the lead at the start in difficult wet conditions, and would lead most of the way, trailing only when making a pit stop. However, in the closing stages the Ferrrari V12 started to lose oil pressure the McLaren of World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi closed in. Lauda managed to hold on until the mandated two-hour time limit was reached, claiming the win by 2sec over Fittipaldi. Carlos Pace finished third in a Brabham.

Lauda went on to win four more times that year and claimed the title by 19.5 points over Fittipaldi.