1976 Japanese Grand Prix

Championship standings

Lauda leads Hunt by three points heading into the final race. Lauda’s third place at Watkins Glen also clinched the Constructors’ Championship for Ferrari, though the Drivers’ title remains unresolved.

Previous race

Hunt won at Watkins Glen for his sixth win of the season. He passed Scheckter with 14 laps remaining and held on to take the victory. Lauda finished third — his balaclava was soaked in blood after the race — just ahead of teammate Mass. Lauda’s third place was enough to seal the Constructors’ Championship for Ferrari.

Jacky Ickx crashed heavily at Watkins Glen when his Ensign went wide in Turn 6 and hit the barrier head on, splitting the car in two. Ickx escaped from the cockpit with injuries to both legs and ankles.

Championship permutations

For Lauda to win the championship, he needs to finish ahead of Hunt, or finish third with Hunt second, or finish fourth or fifth with Hunt third, or finish sixth with Hunt fourth or lower, or have Hunt finish fifth or lower.

For Hunt to win the championship, he needs to finish first, or second with Lauda fourth or lower, or third with Lauda sixth or lower, or fourth with Lauda seventh or lower.

Entrants

This is the first Japanese Grand Prix, held at Fuji Speedway on a three-year contract. Several local entries join the field: Heros Racing enter an old Tyrrell for Kazuyoshi Hoshino on Bridgestone tyres — the Japanese manufacturer’s first Formula One start. Kojima Engineering have built a new chassis for Masahiro Hasemi on Dunlop tyres. The Maki team have resurrected their car for Tony Trimmer. Noritake Takahara rents the second Surtees, replacing Brett Lunger. Hans Binder replaces Masami Kuwashima at Wolf-Williams after Kuwashima’s funding fails to materialise.