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Four or six wheels?

29. Apr 2021 
by Ziv Knoll
3666 views

As the 1976 European season began, and the new regulations were enforced from the Spanish Grand Prix on, new cars were launched. The big talking point was the six-wheeler Tyrrell P34, launched by Team Tyrrell, and driven by Patrick Depailler.

Team-mate Jody Scheckter was not a big fan of the concept and chose, for the time being, to race the slightly modified, see its air scoop, Tyrrell 007 (picture above) he had raced in 1975.

Jody Scheckter recalls: “The braking of the P34 was supposed to be better: well it was when you were braking in a straight line, but as soon as you turned in, the little wheels slid and you had to come off the pedal, so there was no advantage there.”

Depailler and his P34 (picture below) were on the pace in Spain and qualified third, behind Hunt (McLaren) and Lauda (Ferrari). The Frenchman, after a slow start, was running fourth when he spun off and crashed with brake problems.

Victory went to James Hunt who crossed the line 30 seconds in front of Niki Lauda, while Gunnar Nilsson was a fine third in his Lotus.

Source: David Phipps

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