A Fitting Start

In Formula One, approximately once each decade, there is a standout year that marks a watershed and the figurative passing of the mantle from one generation to the next. In 1975, the precocious Niki Lauda's debut championship win for Ferrari not only heralded a resurgence for the Scuderia, but also ushered out the era of Jackie Stewart and Emerson Fittipaldi, who had won five of the six previous WDC titles between them.

Lauda himself was the outgoing elder statesman nine years later in 1984. Although he managed to hang on for the closest championship win possible (by just half a point) over McLaren teammate Alain Prost, the turning of the tide was inevitable and Prost went on to championship victory the next season. 1984 was also significant for the F1 arrival of the young Ayrton Senna, whose duels with Prost would become F1 folklore over the next decade.