Promising start

For the opening round of the 1976 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, James Hunt (McLaren M23) took his first Formula One pole position with reigning World Champion Niki Lauda alongside in his Ferrari 312T. The stage was set for a memorable season.

The Ferrari 312T of 1975 (main picture) was used at the start of the 1976 season and was later replaced by the 312T2 from the Spanish Grand Prix on.

Emerson Fittipaldi surprised many by qualifying fifth on his debut for his brother Wilson’s Copersucar team. It was  promising for the two-time World Champion (picture below) who had taken the gamble to leave McLaren, but the rest of the season will prove to be a struggle for the Brazilian team.

Picture above: Clay Regazzoni, in the second Ferrari took the lead at the start, and is seen here leading Lauda, who soon took the lead and won the race convincingly, while Hunt crashed out due to a sticking throttle.

Patrick Depailler took second place after another strong race in his Tyrrell 007, and promising Welshman Tom Pryce finished third in a Shadow DN5B in his second podium in six months.