1977 United States Grand Prix West

Previous race

At Kyalami, Lauda won his first race since his near-fatal crash at the 1976 German Grand Prix. South African Scheckter was second, and Depailler’s six-wheeled Tyrrell demoted Hunt to fourth in the closing laps. On the victory podium, Lauda was told of Tom Pryce’s death and said that “there was no joy after that.”

Between-race developments

The Formula One circus arrives at Long Beach in mourning. On lap 22 at Kyalami, marshal Frederik Jansen van Vuuren was struck and killed by Pryce’s Shadow as he crossed the track carrying a fire extinguisher to attend a stationary car. Pryce was killed simultaneously by the impact of the extinguisher. Shadow has signed Alan Jones as his replacement.

On 18 March, Carlos Pace — who finished second in Argentina — was killed in a private light aircraft accident near São Paulo. Hans-Joachim Stuck joins Brabham to replace him. His move from ATS meant the team had to sign Jean-Pierre Jarier instead.

Practice

Scheckter was fastest in the opening session with a 1:22.79, just ahead of Mario Andretti in the new Lotus 78. Andretti went quicker in the second session with a 1:22.06, but Niki Lauda took pole in final qualifying with a 1:21.63. Scheckter was third, with Carlos Reutemann completing the second row.

Milestones

A victory for Andretti here would make him the only American to win a Formula One race on home soil.