The Ferrari cars at Monza are decorated in honor of Niki Lauda.

      Every year the Ferrari team prepares something special for the Italian Grand Prix, and this time the livery of its cars at Monza is inspired by memories of the first title Niki Lauda won for the Scuderia 50 years ago.

      "The past meets the present," was the comment with which the Italian team's press office accompanied the series of photos of Charles Leclerc's and Lewis Hamilton's cars released today. "We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Niki Lauda's world championship victory at the wheel of the legendary Ferrari 312T."

      Back then, in 1975, Scuderia's drivers were Niki Lauda and Swiss racer Clay Regazzoni, the world championship runner-up, who was in his sixth season in Formula 1.

      Lauda was ten years younger and had less experience, yet that year he took five victories, claimed nine poles, including at Monza, stood on the podium eight times in total and scored 64.5 points versus 25 for his team-mate. Ferrari, however, comfortably beat Brabham to the Constructors' Cup and won both championship titles.