Out comes the splendid new book by the author of Ferrari Rex

Lauda & Ferrari – Champions of the World (Giunti – Giorgio Nada Editore) è the latest book by Luca Dal Monte, who can’be considered in his own right the greatest expert on the Prancing Horse: after all, as many will remember, the Cremonese writer è author of the award-winning and multi-translated Ferrari Rex, which the New York Times consecrated as the “definitive biography” of Enzo Ferrari.

His latest effort, out these days, takes us back 50 years, to Niki Lauda’s first world title with the Scuderia di Maranello. Always in search of a personal key, Dal Monte follows Lauda’s world championship journey in the 1975 season as a reporter would have done at the time, delivering to today’s reader all the skepticism that reigned around the young Austrian driver.

“One only has to go and read the newspapers and specialized magazines of the’era to realize this – Dal Monte tells Sportal.it -. The Austrian was not considered the best driver around, but among the six to seven best: a kind of ranking that Lauda did not seem to mind, in fact he liked to remember that of drivers, in circulation, there were thousands and therefore being among the top ten was a source of pride for him. It seemed to many that he was just the’right man at the right time and in the most competitive car ever, the Ferrari 312 T masterpiece by Mauro Forghieri. But Niki was much more than that, and he amply proved it”.

The historical reconstruction of the 1975 season è is as precise and to the point as in any of Dal Monte’s works and is based on sources and documentation from the period as well as interviews conducted expressly for this volume. The text flows almost as fast as the two 312 T cars of Lauda and Regazzoni. On the strength of a knowledge and experience that make him the historian par excellence of the Scuderia Ferrari, the author enters as only he can into the details of the internal dynamics of the Maranello team, where Enzo Ferrari reigns supreme, but è splendidly assisted by a young lawyer whose name is Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, destined in the future to take the place of the Grand Old Man himself at the helm of Ferrari.

Luca Dal Monte è was born in Cremona in 1963. His books are read and translated all over the world. In addition to numerous successful works of nonfiction, he also has two novels and two collections of short stories to his credit. Not only motors, for him: “Luca Vialli. From Cremona to London, the extraordinary life of a champion on the field and off”, an authorized biography of the great footballer, è came out last year and has reaped great acclaim.

Burnley-Oxford United, the probable formations

Burnley, third in the Championship with 58 points, is looking to re-launch itself in the title race after losing ground, banking on its unbeaten streak at home to Turf Moor. Oxford United, in 16th place with 37 points, is enjoying a good moment after the arrival of new coach Gary Rowett, but has struggled away with only one win in 14 matches.

Burnley will have to do without Aaron Ramsey, Enock Agyei, Jordan Beyer and Nathan Redmond for the challenge against Oxford. Zian Flemming, scorer of five of the last nine goals, will be the mainstay in attack. On the full-backs will act Roberts and Pires, while the two midfielders will be Cullen and Laurent. In goal will play Trafford.

Oxford, devoid of Ben Nelson, Elliott Moore, Max Woltman and Owen Dale, è back from a nine-game unbeaten streak in the league. Rowett will deploy a 4-2-3-1 with Cumming in goal, in front of him the two centerbacks Helik and Brown. On the three-quarter will act; Rodrigues, who will move; behind the’only point Harris.

Probable lineups

Burnley (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Cullen, Laurent; Anthony, Mejbri, Foster; Flemming. Coach: Parker.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Cumming; Kioso, Helik, Brown, Leigh; Vaulks, Brannagan; Placheta, Rodrigues, Dembele; Harris. Coach: Rowett.

Stuttgart-Augsburg, the probable formations

On Tuesday evening, the quarterfinals of the German Cup will begin, with Stuttgart taking on Augsburg. The home team, è back from the league defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach, therefore will seek redemption in this match. The visiting team, ranked 12th in the Bundesliga, comes to the match with a good dose of confidence after eliminating Karsruher in the round of 16.

Stuttgart coach Hoeness will line up his team with a 4-4-2: Nubel in goal, in front of him the two central defenders Chase and Chabot. On the outside midfield will act Millot and Fuhrich, while the attacking pair will be Demirovic and Undav.

On the other side, Thorup, opts for a 3-4-1-2: Mounié and Essende will be the two strikers, with Rexhbecaj supporting in a trequartista position. In midfield, Onyeka and Jakić will act as a screen in front of the defense.

Probable lineups

Stuttgart (4-4-2): Nubel; Vagnoman, Chase, Chabot, Mittelstädt; Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Fuhrich; Demirovic, Undav. Coach: Hoeness.

Augsburg (3-4-1-2): Labrović; Bauer, Gouweleeuw, Matsima; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakić, Giannoulis; Rexhbecaj; Mounié, Essende. Coach: Thorup.