1976 Italian Grand Prix
The Italian Grand Prix 1976 was held on 12 September at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza and was the thirteenth round of the Formula 1 season 1976.
- 3.1 Start -up
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
Because of modifications to the first chicane and by installing a second chicane between the Curva Grande and the Lesmo curves, the length of the traditional track in Monza had grown to exactly 5.8 kilometers.
The return of the world championship leader still Niki Lauda already was the sensation of the weekend, six weeks after his serious accident at the Grand Prix of Germany. That this was a surprise not only for professionals but also for the Scuderia Ferrari, was the fact that you had in the meantime Carlos Reutemann committed as a substitute driver and reported for the Italian Grand Prix. This was prematurely terminated due to his dissatisfaction with the vulnerable Alfa Romeo engines his works driver contract with Brabham. As a result, brought Ferrari this weekend three cars at the start.
The gap left by Reutemann with Brabham team boss Bernie Ecclestone temporarily bridged with Rolf Stommelen. Guy Edwards returned to the Hesketh cockpit.
Otto Stuppacher whose message had been as a privateer four weeks previously rejected in his home race, has now been approved by the organizers of the Italian GP as a driver of a Tyrrell 007.
Training
The first two units of the qualifying session on Friday took place in rainy conditions. As a result, none of the participants achieved a lap time under two minutes.
The times were obtained on the following day with better weather conditions, then counted for the grid. Jacques Laffite was able to secure his first pole position in Formula 1. The front row he shared with Tyrrell driver Jody Scheckter. There followed Brabham team driver Carlos Pace in addition to the second Tyrrell P34 by Patrick Depailler. Niki Lauda and Hans- Joachim Stuck formed the third row.
Arturo Merzario and Otto Stuppacher failed to qualify for the limited to a maximum of 26 vehicles starting field and then traveled from.
John Watson had reached the eighth fastest lap time before the two McLaren James Hunt and Jochen Mass. In the tanks of the vehicles of these three pilots, however, an erratic fuel was found after training. Then, the lap times that were achieved on Saturday, the three drivers have been deleted. The times achieved in the rain the day before, however, ranged for a qualification, not so according to the rules and Merzario Stuppacher into the competition you had been allowed to move up. Since these were, however, already left, Hunt and Mass for the last two starting positions were approved.
In favor of John Watson also renounced Hesketh - pilot Guy Edwards on the race entry. In return, he reported to the team Penske travel costs for the following overseas races in Canada. Watson was then able to participate from last place in the race.
Race
In the first chicane Scheckter went on Laffite and Pace in the lead. The latter, however, Ronnie Peterson and Carlos Reutemann was already during the first round of Patrick Depailler outdated. Lauda was at the end of the first revolution in twelfth place, while Hunt, Mass and Watson worked their rear off areas from the front. However, this chase ended for Mass after two rounds due to misfires.
While Scheckter its leadership initially successfully defended, Laffite was supplanted by Peterson and Depailler to fourth place. Clay Regazzoni, who caught up quickly, moved into the eleventh round also passed Laffite. In the same round Peterson took over the leadership of Scheckter and defended it to the finish. The most promising followers Lauda in the fight for the championship, James Hunt, left, meanwhile, in twelfth lying due to a spin out. Scheckter was overhauled during the following rounds gradually from Depailler, Regazzoni, and Laffite Lauda.
Due to engine problems Depailler fell towards the end of the race from the second to sixth rank. Regazzoni became the second in front and Laffite Lauda, who despite incomplete recovery reached a remarkable fourth place in his comeback. Jackie Stewart described this as the most heroic performance he had ever seen in any sport.
Ronnie Peterson celebrated his eighth Grand Prix victory. In the team's history of March, this was the third and final success.
Message list
Classifications
Line-up
1 The qualification times achieved on Saturday were James Hunt, Jochen Mass and John Watson denied due to the use of non-compliant fuel. The lap times shown are from Friday.
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).