Formula 2, school of champions

Didier Pironi at speed in his Équipe Renault Elf Martini MK22 at the Nürburgring during the Eifelrennen in 1977 (picture-above). At the end of the season, Ken Tyrrell signed the French hopeful in his F1 team.

Jochen Mass won this Formula 2 race in a works March 772P-BMW, but being a Formula One driver, he was not eligible for points and Eddie Cheever was classified first in his Project Four Racing Ralt BMW. Keke Rosberg was second in his Fred Opert Racing Chevron-Hart, and Pironi third.

The 1977 European Formula Two Championship was contested over 13 rounds and had a quality field of young drivers that would reach the Formula 1. René Arnoux, the champion in a Martini -Renault with 4 victories, but also Eddie Cheever, Didier Pironi, Keke Rosberg, Bruno Giacomelli, Riccardo Patrese (picture-below), Brian Henton, Marc Surer… just to name a few.