I. Executive Summary: Why 1974 Matters The 1974 season is the forgotten pivot point of F1 history. Wedged between Jackie Stewart’s twilight (1973) and Niki Lauda’s first title (1975), 1974 was a bloody, transitional year. It was the last season before the advent of the modern rear-wing endplates and the first season of the "safety era." It produced the closest title fight in F1 history at the time (three drivers alive for the final race) and crowned Emerson Fittipaldi as the first world champion for McLaren .

1974 Formula - One Season

I. Executive Summary: Why 1974 Matters The 1974 season is the forgotten pivot point of F1 history. Wedged between Jackie Stewart’s twilight (1973) and Niki Lauda’s first title (1975), 1974 was a bloody, transitional year. It was the last season before the advent of the modern rear-wing endplates and the first season of the "safety era." It produced the closest title fight in F1 history at the time (three drivers alive for the final race) and crowned Emerson Fittipaldi as the first world champion for McLaren .