It saw the first (and only) win of a 6-wheel car - the Tyrrell P34. The theory was that its four tiny front wheels would increase mechanical front-end grip – with more rubber on the road – and thus eliminate understeer while at the same time improve cornering and braking.

When it was revealed it was the instant sensation of the 1976 season. The car was a photo opportunity on wheels – six of them, which was precisely why – and must have given Elf more free publicity in the 1976 pre-season and beyond than it garnered during the whole of 1974 and 1975.

Tyrrell's Jody Scheckter took pole, with Patrick Depailler in fourth. In the race the Tyrrells strode imperiously to a crushing one-two. The South African, who when later probed confided that he thought the six-wheeled concept ridiculous, was beaming on the podium.

However the Swedish walkover proved to be a fluke, and the P34 never won a race again.

Classification

Notes

• Pole position: Jody Scheckter - 1:25.659
• Fastest lap: Mario Andretti - 1:28.002 on lap 11

References