Ferrari nearly replaced Niki Lauda with two-time F1 champion before his ‘miracle’ comeback

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Following Niki Lauda’s horrific accident at the Nurburgring in 1976, Ferrari wanted to act fast to find a replacement. Among those approached was Emerson Fittipaldi, but he refused the offer.

Lauda was on top form in the 1970s, winning his first Formula 1 title in 1975 with Ferrari. Known for his serious and straight-talking demeanour, the Austrian established himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

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Clay Regazzoni thought Lauda would ‘never be great’, but he would be proven wrong as he went on to win three titles in his career. Lauda was looking on course to defend his 1975 championship in 1976, but his crash at the Nurburgring almost cost him his life.

It was a terrifying accident, with the Ferrari driver being in hospital for several days recovering from his serious injuries. In the meantime, Enzo Ferrari was searching for a replacement, and he had his eyes on Fittipaldi.

Enzo Ferrari wanted Emerson Fittipaldi to replace Niki Lauda, but he refused

After winning two titles, with Lotus in 1972 and with McLaren in 1974, the Brazilian made the shock decision to leave the latter and set up his own F1 team in 1976.

After Lauda’s crash, Fittipaldi revealed on the Beyond The Grid podcast that he was approached by Ferrari to take the Austrian’s place. He was visiting his fellow driver in the hospital as Enzo Ferrari called him, and he could not take the offer.

“It was like midnight, I was very concerned,” he said. “And Daniele Audetto, [he] was the team manager of Ferrari, he said, ‘Emerson, come here, come here. I have a call for you.’

“I pick up the phone, it was Enzo Ferrari. [He] said, ‘Fittipaldi. I want you to drive to replace Niki.’ I was shocked. I said, ‘Commendatore, sorry, I cannot talk now.’ Put the phone down. But that’s part of Formula 1. I was shocked.”

After missing just two races, Lauda would return to F1 and take the 1976 title to the final race at Fuji, only to lose to James Hunt by one point. He would go on to win another two titles in 1977 and 1984, where Lauda won the title by the smallest margin in history.

Fittipaldi commended Lauda’s mentality and strength to come back from such a horrific accident: “Enzo was trying to hire me to replace [him]. And then Niki was, 47 days after, he was in Monza. It was a miracle. Niki was so strong mentally. He was a fantastic driver.”

READ MORE: Niki Lauda once explained why he envied James Hunt during their fierce Formula 1 rivalry

Emerson Fittipaldi turned down double his Lotus salary to race sports car for Ferrari

Fittipaldi admits that he dreamed of racing for Ferrari, and the Prancing Horse did have their eye on the Brazilian for some time. They even tried to sign him to race in sports cars, but he again turned it down to focus on F1.

Asked about further conversations with Enzo Ferrari, he said: “Yes, well, in ’71, he said, ‘Emerson, I pay double than Colin is paying for you. But you have to drive our sports cars.’

“The sports car championship was very important for Ferrari. And then I said, ‘Thank you for the offer. But I’m focusing on Formula 1 and I will continue with Lotus.’

“[It] was difficult to refuse [an] offer from Ferrari. But I was focused. I was happy with Colin. And at that time, I was focused on Formula 1. I didn’t want to drive Le Mans or the sports car races. I love Formula 1, always focusing on Formula 1.”