Formula 1 1976 [new] -

The contrast in the aftermath was stark. Hunt was mobbed by fans and mechanics, soaked in champagne, his face a mask of ecstatic disbelief. Lauda stood in the garage, arms crossed, dry and composed. He had lost the championship, but he had kept his life.

| Round | Grand Prix | Winner | |-------|-------------|--------| | 1 | Brazil | Niki Lauda | | 2 | South Africa | Niki Lauda | | 3 | US West (Long Beach) | Clay Regazzoni | | 4 | Spain | James Hunt (later disqualified, then reinstated) | | 5 | Belgium | Niki Lauda | | 6 | Monaco | Niki Lauda | | 7 | Sweden | Jody Scheckter | | 8 | France | James Hunt | | 9 | Great Britain | Niki Lauda | | 10 | Germany | (after Lauda’s crash) | | 11 | Austria | James Hunt | | 12 | Netherlands | James Hunt | | 13 | Italy | Ronnie Peterson (March) | | 14 | Canada | James Hunt | | 15 | USA (Watkins Glen) | James Hunt | | 16 | Japan | Mario Andretti (Lotus) – but the title was decided here | formula 1 1976

The 16-race series saw a fierce battle between Ferrari and McLaren. While Hunt secured the Drivers' title, Ferrari took home the Manufacturers' trophy. The contrast in the aftermath was stark

The season twisted and turned through the streets of Monaco and the forests of Belgium, Hunt’s wild talent clawing back points against Lauda’s consistency. But everything changed on a grey, wet weekend in August at the Nürburgring. He had lost the championship, but he had kept his life

By the time they pulled him out, he was barely recognizable. His face was scorched, his lungs ruined, his eyelids burned away. In the hospital, a priest administered the last rites. The championship was over. The King was dead.