OTD: Hunt suffers controversial disqualification in title fight versus Lauda

Formula 1 is full of seasons with fascinating histories and nail-biting finishes. But few have matched the intensity and drama of the 1976 campaign...

The year was so action-packed that it resulted in the release of 'Rush', an extremely good film directed by Ron Howard in 2013.

The story, in broad terms, is well known, mainly for its second act: the battle for the title stretching right to the final race between Niki Lauda (Ferrari) and James Hunt (McLaren), the Austrian having in the meantime miraculously survived a terrifying crash at the Nurburgring.

It was a finale from which Lauda, judging the situation too dangerous in the rain in Japan, chose to withdraw, resulting in Hunt clinching his one and only world title.

If 'Rush' is taken as a point of reference, it is clear that Germany and Japan are the two highlights of the season, the two races that carry a huge part of the film’s drama.

However, the film also lingers a little longer on two other races : Monza, to show Lauda’s return to competition a few weeks after his accident, and the Spanish Grand Prix which occurred on this day (2 May) in 1976. 

The context of the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix

James Hunt, McLaren M23

Photo by: Sutton Images

That year's Spanish Grand Prix, held on the small, twisty Jarama circuit , was Hunt’s first victory of the season. But of course, this overlooks the context of a result that, in reality, took two months to be confirmed.

To put the race into its sporting context, upon arriving in Spain the two protagonists were not really in the same league in the standings: Lauda led on 24 points with two wins, 14 ahead of second-placed Patrick Depailler (Tyrrell), while Hunt was only fifth on a score of six.

However, the reality was that Hunt, who had replaced double champion Emerson Fittipaldi at McLaren, was making a very good impression. In qualifying the Briton secured pole position for the first two rounds and finished ahead of Lauda on the grid for the third. 

So Hunt held all the cards to be Lauda’s main rival, it's just that his season had not enjoyed the ideal start. But Spain was the place he bounced back and he started it by scoring yet another pole position, more than three tenths ahead of second-placed Lauda. 

But the Ferrari driver was then quicker off the line on the Sunday, starting a battle for the lead that would last for over 30 laps. Come the 32nd tour,  as they approached the first corner, Hunt launched an attack by diving down the inside in a manoeuvre that was daring to say the least.

Lauda chose to give way, though he did not appreciate what his rival had done: “James overtook me on the inside at the last moment, and I had to swerve quickly, otherwise we would have collided. That sudden movement pushed my ribs against the cockpit wall, and the pain was excruciating, like a knife stab. I simply couldn’t drive flat out after that.”

This overtaking manoeuvre would therefore seal the fate of the 75-lap race, as Hunt won by 30 seconds ahead of Lauda. But that's only the start of the story.

Hunt disqualified

James Hunt, McLaren M23-Ford

Photo by: Motorsport Images

During the post-race inspection, approximately 90 minutes after the chequered flag, the stewards delivered a harsh verdict. It's because the M23 measured 216.8cm in width, whereas, including tyres, it should not exceed 215cm and the position of the oil coolers was also not legal.

Hunt was therefore disqualified. But these rules regarding car width were specifically introduced for Spain onwards and, something that makes the disqualification all the more incomprehensible, is the width of the M23 itself which had been taken as a reference by the authorities when deciding on the maximum measurement of 215 cm.

McLaren was, in fact, so confident in its position that no real checks had been carried out in this regard. However, there had indeed been a change: the new tyres introduced by Goodyear had radial casings. This meant that instead of a flat sidewall, it was now curved, increasing the width of the car.

As for the issue of the coolers’ position, McLaren seemed to have simply misinterpreted the regulations when placing them at the rear of the sidepods, with an opening to supply them with fresh air.

Following the disqualification, McLaren lodged an appeal but it was rejected. The team then took the matter to the FIA International Court of Appeal and at the same time, the team modified the M23 in an attempt to comply with the regulations.

The car would certainly be fully legal, but far less competitive because in the three rounds following Jarama, Hunt failed to finish ahead of Lauda in qualifying and even dropped to 14th in Monaco. Lauda, meanwhile, secured two wins (Belgium and Monaco) and a third place (Sweden), while his rival retired twice and picked up just two points in Sweden.

On the evening of that race, Lauda comfortably led with 55 points and his closest challenger was Jody Scheckter on 23. To find Hunt, one had to look down to seventh, 47 points adrift with nine races remaining.

Hunt eventually clinched victory

Niki Lauda and James Hunt talk in the pits

Photo by: Motorsport Images

In France, in early July, McLaren brought a revised version of the M23. Hunt regained his momentum by winning from pole at Paul Ricard, while Lauda suffered his first retirement.

Then across the following days, news broke that McLaren's appeal to the FIA was successful, meaning Hunt's disqualification from Spain was overturned. It had been deemed disproportionate given that the infringement was classified as ‘minimal’- McLaren was still fined $3,000.

So it took two months for Hunt to regain the points for his victory in Spain and now suddenly, the championship looked very different: Lauda dropped to 52 points, Hunt climbed to 26. Of course, nothing was decided yet - the gap was almost equivalent to three full victories - but the rest would go down in history...