Rain struck in Austria, and Peterson drove brilliantly to win the red-flagged race. At Brands Hatch they both retired, and Reutemann passed Lauda to take his third win of the year. Andretti and Peterson scored a one-two in France.

Lauda dominated in its only race at Anderstorp before it was abruptly banned. Scheckter had a proper ground-effect Wolf, and Brabham responded with the amazing 'fan car'. They scored another one-two in Jarama.īy now the others were reacting. In Belgium Mario debuted the 79, disappeared into the distance, with Peterson taking second in the 78. Monaco saw Depailler finally earn his first win. Villeneuve starred at Long Beach, leading until he hit back marker Regazzoni and allowed Reutemann to score. The race culminated in a fabulous duel between Peterson and Depailler, Ronnie just winning. In Brazil Reutemann won for Ferrari, and Fittipaldi finally came good with second in the 'family car'. Starting the season with the old 78, Andretti won in Argentina, Lauda coming second. The new 312T3 was a superb machine, and the team changed to Michelin. Villeneuve landed a full-time seat at Ferrari, alongside Reutemann. Newcomer Didier Pironi joined Depailler in the four-wheel Tyrrell 008, while Patrick Tambay replaced Mass at McLaren. Another former Shadow driver, Alan Jones, also linked up with what was effectively a new team: Williams. Meanwhile, Nilsson left to join Arrows, but he never got to drive as cancer set in, leaving the team to sign up Riccardo Patrese. He had a new second driver, too, with Peterson back at Lotus, eager to restore his name.

Nobody seemed to cotton on to the secrets of the Lotus 78, and rival teams were in for a shock when Colin Chapman introduced the beautiful 79. But it was a year of mixed feelings for Mario, as team-mate Ronnie Peterson died from injuries received in a first-lap accident at Monza. Mario Andretti won the title after a brilliant run with Chapman's wonderful Lotus 79. Season's results | Drivers' Championship | Constructors' Championship

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