SEPTEMBER 3, 2025

Ferrari revives 1975 spirit for Monza tribute

Scuderia Ferrari HP will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Niki Lauda’s first world championship title this weekend at the Italian Grand Prix with a special livery, retro team kit, and a host of fan-focused initiatives at Monza.

Lauda’s breakthrough 1975 season is etched into Ferrari history. Driving the 312 T, he claimed the drivers’ crown while Ferrari secured the constructors’ title, ending an 11-year wait and ushering in a new period of success. At Monza that year, Lauda’s third place, combined with team-mate Clay Regazzoni’s victory, sealed the championship in front of an immense and passionate tifosi crowd.

To mark the anniversary, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will race the SF-25 in a livery directly inspired by Lauda’s 312 T. Developed with partner HP, the wrapping features recyclable PVC film, offering reduced weight and greater heat resistance compared to earlier versions. The design revives key details from 1975: a deeper shade of red, longitudinal white stripes, driver names in cursive script, and black numbers on white squares. The rear wing will appear in metallic silver to recall pre-carbon fibre construction, while the white engine cover and period-style wheel designs further link past and present.

The tribute extends beyond the cars. Ferrari and Puma have produced retro-inspired team kit, with mechanics and engineers to wear uniforms styled after the mid-1970s. Leclerc and Hamilton will don suits, helmets, and footwear in colours and motifs of the era. Replica merchandise will also be available for fans.

The tifosi are expected to provide their customary fervent support. Images of fans scaling billboards in 1975 remain part of Monza’s folklore, and the circuit’s podium has since been redesigned to allow drivers to celebrate directly in front of the crowd. Leclerc, already a two-time Monza winner with Ferrari, is a proven favourite, especially after his 2024 victory capped a memorable Monaco-Monza double. Hamilton, meanwhile, arrives as a five-time Monza winner with other teams, but this weekend will be his first Italian Grand Prix in Ferrari red—an experience sure to carry extra resonance given Lauda’s role in shaping his career.

Ferrari has also arranged several events to enhance the occasion. On Sunday, fans will see former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi return to the track, driving a 1995 Ferrari 412 T2 powered by the last of Maranello’s V12 engines. Additional fan engagement activities are planned, including a Milan pop-up showcasing commemorative products and an event at Palazzo Reale titled “Drive to Monza by Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%.”

At the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, visitors throughout September can view Lauda’s original 312 T alongside a car featuring this weekend’s celebratory livery. The museum will also broadcast live coverage of qualifying and the race itself, adding another layer of fan access to the team’s heritage.

For Ferrari, Monza 2025 represents more than just a home race. It is a chance to connect its storied past to its current ambitions, with the tifosi once again at the heart of the celebration.