Lauda and Regazzoni 1-2 in Belgian GP
The 1976 Belgian Grand Prix was staged at the Zolder circuit and James Hunt had applied a new sticker to his McLaren. After being disqualified from the previous race in Spain for his car being too wide Hunt’s M23 carried, “Caution Wide Load”, on its rear wing.
In qualifying Ferrari were unbeatable as Niki Lauda claimed pole with Clay Regazzoni alongside. Hunt managed third on the grid and was soon past Regazzoni. Then, on lap 36, Hunt’s McLaren stopped by the side of the track with a broken gearbox. Lauda and Regazzoni finished first and second respectively while in third place was Jacques Laffite’s Ligier. The team were understandably delighted at scoring a podium finish in only their fifth Grand Prix.
Lauda Wins Monaco F1 Race for Ferrari
Only 20 starters were allowed for the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Once again the grid was headed by Lauda on pole and Regazzoni second. In an impressive third place was Ronnie Peterson, happy with his March around the streets of the principality.
The Swede held second in the race before an accident put him out. Lauda’s nearest challenger at the finish was Jody Scheckter in the surprisingly nimble six-wheeled P34. His team-mate Depailler also made it onto the podium in third. Hunt, meanwhile, had retired and slipped further behind in the title race. Emerson Fittipaldi scored a welcome point for the Copersucar team with a sixth place finish.
Tyrrell P34 Six-wheeler Wins Swedish GP
The Swedish Grand Prix at Anderstorp saw Scheckter starting from pole, with Mario Andretti (now back at Lotus) alongside. The performance of the day, however, went to Chris Amon who qualified his Ensign third. Andretti made a better start than Sheckter but the American’s hopes were dashed later in the race when his engine failed. Amon held his own in fourth place until his predictably terrible luck intervened once more and the Ensign’s suspension failed. Victory went to Scheckter with Depailler second and Lauda third.
Scheckter was off the pace in qualifying at Paul Ricard and could only manage the ninth fastest time. At the front Hunt was on pole from Lauda. It was the Austrian who led early on but then his Ferrari suffered an uncharacteristic mechanical failure and his race was over. Lauda’s team-mate Regazzoni took up the chase but his car also failed to last the distance. Hunt won from Depailler’s Tyrrell and John Watson’s Penske in what was the Ulsterman’s first Formula 1 podium appearance.
The British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch saw Hunt and his McLaren team embroiled in further controversy. After the race was stopped for a first corner accident Hunt restarted in a repaired car. Despite winning the race on the track the repair work was deemed illegal. The Englishman's points were removed and the win given to his championship rival Lauda.
Lauda's Terrible Crash at the Nurburgring
Next on the calendar was the Nurburgring and it was there that Lauda would have a life-changing experience. The race started in damp conditions but soon slicks were required. Everyone pitted, except Jochen Mass who had gambled by starting on slicks. As Lauda tried to make his way back to the front his Ferrari speared off the track and into a rock-face, which ruptured its fuel tanks. Fellow drivers dragged Lauda from his burning car and the race was stopped.
In the restarted event Hunt won comfortably from Scheckter and Mass, but everyone’s thoughts were with Lauda. Terribly burned and in intensive care, there were fears for his life.
Lauda's recovery and his title fight with Hunt.
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