Emerson Fittipaldi became the first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion for McLaren by winning the 1974 title.
After leaving Lotus, Fittipaldi joined McLaren for the 1974 season and immediately became a championship contender. He won the Brazilian, Belgian, Canadian and British Grands Prix and finished the year with 55 points.
Fittipaldi beat Ferrari’s Clay Regazzoni by three points. The title was decided at the United States Grand Prix, where Fittipaldi finished fourth and Regazzoni failed to score. It was McLaren’s first Drivers’ Championship.
McLaren later won titles with James Hunt, Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton, among others. Fittipaldi’s 1974 success also made him a two-time champion, following his first title with Lotus in 1972.