The 1976 Swedish Grand Prix marked the only Formula One victory by a six-wheeled car, the Tyrrell P34, with Scheckter and Depailler finishing first and second.
Key Facts
- Race distance
- 290 km over 72 laps
- Circuit length
- 4.0 km
- Season round
- 7th round of 1976 F1 season
- Winner
- Jody Scheckter (Tyrrell P34)
- Unique car feature
- Six-wheeled Tyrrell P34, only such F1 winner
- Andretti penalty
- 60-second penalty for jumping the start
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Tyrrell introduced the experimental P34 six-wheeled car in 1976, theorising that four smaller front wheels would increase mechanical grip, reduce understeer, and improve cornering and braking compared to conventional two-front-wheel designs. The car became the sensation of the season upon its unveiling.
At the Scandinavian Raceway in Anderstorp on 13 June 1976, Mario Andretti led much of the race in his Lotus 77 but was penalised 60 seconds for a jumped start and retired on lap 46 with engine failure. Tyrrell's Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler then inherited the lead, finishing first and second in their six-wheeled Tyrrell P34s.
The result gave Tyrrell its most celebrated victory with the P34, the first and only win by a six-wheeled Formula One car in history. Niki Lauda took third to consolidate his championship lead, while the race underscored the P34's potential, though the concept was ultimately abandoned after 1977.
Result
at Scandinavian Raceway, Anderstorp, Sweden