Grand Prix Insider

For the first time Rio de Janeiro hosts the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Jacarepaguá circuit and the expected heat benefited two South American drivers with Reutemann winning the race and Emerson Fittipaldi kicking of one huge party for the local race fans by scoring a podium finish for the Brazilian Copersucar-Fittipaldi team.

The start to the race was frantic with pole-setter Peterson geting away poorly and Reutemann going past him, Andretti and Hunt into the lead. The Englishman dropped back when he had to pit for harder tires and Andretti only lasted in second place until lap 57 when his gearbox jammed and the championship leader was stuck with only fourth gear. Pole-sitter Peterson had already fallen victim to a minor clash with Villeneuve on lap 15 and ha been sent off the road. Twenty laps later the Ferrari driver went off all by himself.

The race, the first to be staged on the Jacarepagua circuit after the five previous events took place at São Paulo’s Interlagos track, also saw the debut of a new team as Arrows took to the grid. The team, formed by Italian financier Franco Ambrosio (A), Alan Rees (R), Jackie Oliver (O), Dave Wass (W) and Tony Southgate (S) built the Arrows FA1 car in just 53 days. A number of former employees of the Shadow organization switched to Arrows and are headed by former driver Jackie Oliver. Italian Riccardo Patrese debuts their solechassis in Brazil but is lapped several times by the leaders.

Up in front Reutemann had everything in control, ran an excellent race and was finally heading towards his first win for Ferrari in his second season with the Scuderia. I twould also mark the first ever win of French tire maker Michelin in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. But the crowd was far more interested in that yellow car in pursuit of the Ferrari and well ahead of Niki Lauda’s Brabham. Local hero Emerson Fittipaldi brought his Copersucar-Fittipaldi home in second in a historic achievement and to the crowd’s absolute delight.

1978 Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix, Rio de Janeiro.

Pole Position: Ronnie Peterson, Lotus 78-Cosworth, 1m 40.450s, 180.305 km/h average.

Race Result: Winner - Carlos Reutemann, Ferrari 312T2, 63 laps x 5,031 km (3.126 miles) = 316.953 km (196.938 miles) total race distance in 1h49m59.860s.

2) Emerson Fittipaldi, Fittipaldi F5A + 49.130s
3) Niki Lauda, Brabham BT45C + 57.020s
4) Mario Andretti, Lotus 78 + 1′33.120s
5) Clay Regazzoni, Shadow DN8 + 1 lap
6) Didier Pironi Tyrrell 008 + 1 lap

Fastest Lap: Carlos Reutemann, Ferrari 312T2, 1m 43.070s in lap 35 = 175.721 km/h (109.188 mph) average.

Milestones among drivers:

- Emerson Fittipaldi is the first World Champion in history to score a podium in his home country at a round of the Formula 1 World Championship with a car built and entered by his own team.

Milestones among teams constructors and suppliers:

- Tire Manufacturer Michelin’s 1st F1 Grand Prix Win
- F1 Grand Prix debut of Arrows Grand Prix Team