Andretti and Luada duel for the championship, neither win the race.
Andretti and Lauda started the race tied for first place in the championship with 51 points each. They started in the first row with Lauda on pole and Ashley between them. Nilson, Lombardi, and Regazonni filled out the second row. The two McLarens were in sole position of the last row.
Lauda help the lead going down the Front and Back straights. Andretti caught and passed him going through the Speed Trap and Fast Bend and was first out of the 90 Hard Right and earned the 1st lap bonus point.
Meanwhile, Hunt bludgeoned his way forward from the back of the pack and into 4th. Lotus’ second driver worked with Andretti securing 3rd place going into the second lap.
During the second lap the Andretti and Lauda battle continued with them racing side by side down the Front and Back straights. Andretti took the lead again going into and through the Speed Trap and Fast Bend. Lauda began to falter. On the other hand Ferrari’s second car, driven by Regazzoni, looked stronger and it slipped past Hunt.
At the beginning of the third lap, Andretti held the lead with Mass in the other Lotus right behind him. Lauda and changed position with Regazzoni. For the rest of the race Regazzoni faced off against the two Lotus drivers while Lauda fought Hunt for fourth.
Regazzoni passed Mass and Andretti going through the Speed Trap to take the lead and won against Andretti in a photo finish. At the same time, Hunt beat Lauda in a photo finish for 4th place.
Andretti didn’t win the race, but he took the points lead in the championship with one race to go in the season.
Race results follow:
1st Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/40/40/160/5 N
2nd Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W**
3rd Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/20/40/140/6 W
4th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 40/40/40/160/6 S
5th Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/40/140/5 N
6th Steve K. (J. Mass) 40/40/40/160/5 S
7th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/40/140/6 S
8th Ray R. (L. Lombardi) 40/40/40/140/6 S
Please join us for the Japanese GP at Fuji on 2 September 2026.