Mechanics work on the Ferrari 312T2B of Carlos Reutemann on pit road at Watkins Glen at the 1977 United States Grand Prix. Interesting that they would perform this work on pit road instead of in the Kendall Technical Center. What a change from the elaborate garage complex that the Formula One teams work from today. Reutemann would start and finish sixth in this race. The 312T2B model was good enough to win the 1977 Drivers' Championship for Niki Lauda, who won more through the car's reliability than outright speed. He took 3 wins, while Reutemann won once. The Constructors' Championship was also secured by Ferrari for a third successive season.
A look at the rear gear box casing of Niki Lauda's Brabham BT46 Alfa powered Formula One car on pit road at the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in 1978. The Brabham BT45 was an overweight and bulky car with a powerful Alfa flat-12 engine. In Formula One form in 1978 it delivered about 520 bhp at 12,000 rpm, about 50 bhp more than the Cosworth DFV engines used by most teams. However, the power came at the expense of greater size, increased fuel consumption and about 40 kg more weight. The car used a revised and lighter version of the 6-speed gearbox, designed for the BT45B. Brabham designed the gearbox casing, which was cast by Alfa Romeo and used Hewland gears. Lauda would start fifth but retire due to an engine issue on lap 28 of the 59-lap race.
Two models from the Etienne Aigner high fashion house together on pit road. They were supporting Ferrari driver Clay Regazzoni in his quest to win the 1974 Formula One World Championship at the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in the final race of the year. Coming into this race there were three drivers who had a mathematical chance of securing the championship, Emerson Fittipaldi, Clay Regazzoni, and Jody Scheckter. Fittipaldi and Regazzoni were tied on points so the driver that finished the highest while ahead of Scheckter would be Champion. Regazzoni carried the Etienne Aigner logo, the "a" for Aigner shaped into a horseshoe, on his helmet and Ferrari uniform. The company, headquartered in New York City, produced luxury goods including handbags, shoes, wallets, and leather accessories. So, it was natural that they would want to have a significant presence at this race. Fittapaldi would prevail and secure his second World Championship that day. Regazzoni would never become a Grand Prix World Champion, and this was the closest he would ever get.
