Ferrari pulls all cars out

Press, 7 August 1976, Page 52

Ferrari pulls all cars out

NZPA-Reuter Modena The Ferrari Motor Company announced yesterday it was withdrawing its grand prix cars from the world drivers’ championships. It said the decision was taken following a series of international disputes over the placings of their drivers in some races. The decision followed the crash in the West German Grand Prix on Sunday of Ferrari’s world champion driver, Niki Lauda, of Austria, who is in a serious condition. The statement did not make clear whether their withdrawal only concerned the current world championship series, which has six races remaining.

According to unofficial Ferrari sources the company was angered by decisions of appeal bodies, particularly concerning the Spanish and British grand prix, both won by James Hunt of Britain, in a McLaren.

In the Spanish Grand Prix, Hunt was reinstated after being disqualified in a dispute over the width of his car.

The Italian team last week lost an appeal against Hunt’s win in Britain. The Ferrari protest said Hunt

should have been disqualified. In the meantime, doctors treating Niki Lauda in West Germany believe he could return to the sport despite his serious injuries sustained in his crash. Professor Horst Lutz, head of the intensive care unit at the Mannheim Hospital, where Lauda is being treated, said yesterday he was cautiously optimistic

the Austrian would be able to drive again. Lauda, 27, has been fighting for his life after his Ferrari smashed into a barrier and burst into flames at the Nuerburgring track. He suffered severe bums, damage to his lungs and multiple injuries. The doctors stressed that he was still seriously ill, but a bulletin said his “over-all condition has improved fur-

ther. The acute danger to his life seems to be past.” Professor Lutz said Lauda’s chances of resuming his motor-racing career could depend on whether his injured left eye heals. Lauda’s spirits appear to have picked up. He has asked when he will be able to race again and has enquired about the latest standings in this year’s world championship.