How Lauda won F1's closest title battle
Autosport Plus

How Lauda won F1's closest title battle

By:

Niki Lauda's third Formula 1 title was one of the most incredible in the championship's history, and won by statistically the smallest margin - just half a point. Back in 2017, Lauda talked Autosport through that season from his perspective

Eight times the battle for the drivers' crown has been decided by a single digit - 1958, 1961, 1964, 1976, 1981, 1994, 2007 and 2008 - but only once has it been settled by less.

One might argue the 2008 battle between Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa was closer - in the sense Massa crossed the Brazilian Grand Prix finish line as 'champion', only for Hamilton to steal it back again with a last-gasp move on Timo Glock moments later. But in the statistical sense there remains none tighter than the 1984 contest between Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.

shares
comments

The heroism, horror and hurt of Lauda at Ferrari

From the archive: Lauda answers the paddock's questions

More from Ben Anderson

The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste

The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste

MISC General

The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste The supercharged Revolution that has piqued an Olympic legend's motorsport taste

How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model

How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model

Plus
Plus
RAD Radical

How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model How Radical revamped its record-breaking flagship model

Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK

Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK

Plus
Plus
NTNL National

Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK Inside the lightweight Czech sportscar making its mark on the UK

Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60

Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60

Plus
Plus
GT GT

Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60 Why the Jaguar E-type remains special at 60

How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations

How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations

Plus
Plus
GT GT

How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations How McLaren’s GT3 ‘single-seater’ defies expectations

How Radical's latest machines fare on track

How Radical's latest machines fare on track

Plus
Plus
MISC General

How Radical's latest machines fare on track How Radical's latest machines fare on track

From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams

From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams

F1 Formula 1

From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams From the archive: Button's last spell with Williams

Driving club racing's Revolution

Driving club racing's Revolution

Plus
Plus
NTNL National

Driving club racing's Revolution Driving club racing's Revolution

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1? What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
GP Racing

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries