1976 German Grand Prix

Championship standings

Hunt crossed the line first in Britain with the result under protest from Ferrari, Tyrrell, and Copersucar. The stewards dismissed the protests on the day. Ferrari have taken the matter further and an appeal is pending.

Previous race

Hunt won at Brands Hatch after Lauda led for 45 laps before gearbox trouble allowed Hunt through. Regazzoni retired with suspension and oil pressure problems. Scheckter finished third.

Entrants

This is the last Formula One race to be held on the 22.835 km Nordschleife section of the Nürburgring — a decision made before this season began. The sheer length of the circuit makes it impossible to staff with adequate medical cover, fire marshals, and helicopters to modern standards; its narrow track and the absence of run-off areas have not been modified since a partial rework in 1971. Two weeks ago, a fatality occurred during practice for a Formula Super-Vee race at the Flugplatz section — the 131st death at the circuit in its 49-year history.

Lauda, who leads the championship, attempted to organise a boycott of the race over safety conditions. The drivers voted against it by a single vote and the race will go ahead. The wet Saturday practice session meant the grid was set on Friday times. Due to wet conditions on Saturday, all grid positions are based on Friday qualifying times.

Jacky Ickx has been replaced at Walter Wolf Racing by Arturo Merzario. Scuderia Rondini enters an old Tyrrell 007 for Alessandro Pesenti-Rossi, making his Formula One debut. Rolf Stommelen has transferred from the RAM-run Brabham to the works Brabham team after police impounded the RAM cars over a legal dispute involving former driver Loris Kessel.