Determined Hunt

James Hunt waits for his McLaren M23-Ford to be attended by Alistair Caldwell and his mechanics, during Friday practice for the 1976 US Grand Prix held at Watkins Glen, while his team mate Jochen Mass, in the background is ready to climb in his car.

Friday’s first qualifying session saw only a handful of drivers venture out onto a wet race track. The rain stopped before the afternoon session began, and times dropped quickly on the drying track.

Hunt and Patrick Depailler, who was driving one of the six-wheeled Tyrrells, were duelling for top spot, with Depailler following Hunt’s McLaren on the track, both very at ease in those tricky conditions. Finally, Hunt captured pole position ahead of Jody Scheckter.

Very determined, Hunt drove a flawless race and won, with Scheckter in second, while Niki Lauda, still recovering from his horrific crash at the Nürburgring, brought his Ferrari home in third, a minute behind the winner.