1978 Dutch Grand Prix
The Grand Prix of the Netherlands in 1978 took place on 27 August at Zandvoort and was the 13th race of the Formula 1 season 1978.
- 3.1 Start -up
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
In order to earn his home Grand Prix, Michael Bleekemolen bought with the assistance of a private sponsor into the cockpit of the second ATS on the side of Jochen Mass. In addition, Danny Ongais returned to the control of a private Shadow DN9 the team Interscope Racing for the last time in Formula 1 back. Bruno Giacomelli got for the third time this season, made a third McLaren factory car available.
Training
Due to the 33 pilot again heavily busy subscriber field, a pre-qualification was conducted. For Rolf Stommelen, Harald Ertl and Danny Ongais the race weekend ended prematurely thereby. Four other pilots failed during the regular training in the qualification, as only 26 grid positions for the race were available. However, since Rupert Keegan had an accident in the warm- up before the race and wounding, which is not actually qualified Arturo Merzario was allowed to move up.
The front row was re-formed by the two Lotus works drivers, with Mario Andretti against Ronnie Peterson was faster by about six tenths of a second. With a slower by around a second lap time than the pole sitter Niki Lauda qualified for the third place ahead of the two Ferrari team -mate Carlos Reutemann and Gilles Villeneuve. Jacques Laffite finished in sixth place.
Race
While Andretti took the lead against Peterson and the well started Laffite, collided further back in Riccardo Patrese and Didier Pironi field. Some other pilots were indirectly involved in the accident, as they had to abruptly try to evade the standing middle of the track vehicle Patrese.
The two Lotus drivers expanded their lead. Meanwhile Lauda came back to third place, as Laffite fell back due to technical problems behind him and behind Carlos Reutemann, John Watson, Emerson Fittipaldi and Gilles Villeneuve. This sequence was then constant until Reutemann fell back in the 38th round due to tire problems behind Watson and Fittipaldi.
Andretti and Peterson made sure another Lotus double victory before the two Brabham of Lauda and Watson. Fittipaldi was fifth ahead of Villeneuve, who his teammates Reutemann overhauled in the 54th lap and thus secured the last championship point of the day.
With now 12 points behind Andretti Peterson had indeed still theoretical title chances, due to its contractually agreed number -two status, however, he was allowed the Americans not to dispute the title. With 28 points ahead of third-placed in the championship with three races to Lauda, at which a maximum of 27 points was achievable, Andretti was thus established as a kind of world champion in 1978.
Message list
Classifications
Line-up
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).