Four drivers for Lotus

Colin Chapman (standing) and Mario Andretti in his Lotus 77-Cosworth at Jarama in 1976 (picture-above). The American qualified in 9th, but was not the best-placed Lotus driver on the grid. Indeed, Gunnar Nilsson, his team mate, was in 7th.

Mario Andretti was forced to retire on lap 34 with a broken gear box, while Nilsson drove an excellent race to finish third behind title contenders James Hunt, winner in his McLaren M23 who was initially disqualified after a post-race check, his McLaren was found too wide, but reinstated months later after McLaren’s appeal was heard, and Niki Lauda, second in his Ferrari 312T2.

Interesting: At the end of 1975, Ronnie Peterson was convinced by Colin Chapman to stay with Lotus, but after just one race into the 1976 season, the Swede joined March. Fellow Swede Gunnar Nilsson, signed by March at the time, was then loaned to Lotus. A total of 4 drivers raced for Lotus in 1976: Ronnie Peterson, Bob Evans, Mario Andretti and Gunnar Nilsson (picture-below).