F1
Here’s how The Monza Gorilla made history at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix
Pride comes before a fall or, in Vittorio Brambilla's case: you win, you crash, you become a legend.
The heavens had opened and the Österreichring was drenched. The spectators were soaked to the skin. These were extremely hazardous conditions for the drivers. Niki Lauda in the Ferrari was leading the world championship and was on pole. Would the home hero go for it in the rain? Not Niki’s style.
Vittorio Brambilla – the 37-year-old Italian, feared most for his brutal handshake – would provide the fireworks this time round. Brambilla liked the rain. While others bided their time, he overtook. He got past five on the first lap. Only Hunt and Lauda were still ahead of him. He elegantly picked off both in a single lap and took the lead in a grand prix for the first time in his career.
Brambilla on the podium with James Hunt
© Motorsport Images
The weather got even worse and it would have been irresponsible to carry on. Eventually, the race was cut short after 29 laps instead of the scheduled 54. Brambilla had won his first Grand Prix! The old guy! The Monza Gorilla! Elated, he threw his hands in the air at the chequered flag, promptly lost control of his March and rammed it into a wall.
The first man to do a Brambilla: the first to win and wreck his car.
