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Private Notes
Buenos Aires is host to the first race of the 1978 season. Mario Andretti starts on pole position with local hero Carlos Reutemann joining him on the front row. Reigning World Champion Niki Lauda, hoping to challenge is crown, starts fifth.
Jacarepagua is next in this year's Brazilian Grand Prix. Andretti's Lotus is on pole hoping to gain another victory, with James Hunt's Brabham in 2nd. 1978 champion and current 2nd place driver Lauda in another Brabham starts 10th. Drivers' Championship standings after last round 1 - Mario Andretti - 9 2 - Niki Lauda - 6 3 - Patrick Depailler - 4 4 - James Hunt - 3 5 - Ronnie Peterson - 2
On we go to Kyalami, South Africa for the third race of the season. The race last year was marred by the tragic death of a marshall hit by driver Tom Pryce, and Pryce who was hit on the head by the marshall's fire extinguisher. Reutemann moves up to third in the championship after his win in Brazil and Lauda edges closer to the lead also with just two points behind current leader Andretti after Lauda finished one position ahead of him in Brazil. New cars for both the Ferarri and Brabham garage, and also the return of Renault to the sport with a unique turbocharged car. Drivers' Championship standings after last round 1 - Mario Andretti - 12 2 - Niki Lauda - 10 3 - Carlos Reutemann - 9 4 - Emerson Fittipaldi - 6 5 - Patrick Depailler - 4 Notes: Lauda's last pole
The fifth round of the championship is first of two visits to the United States this year. Ronnie Peterson moves up to 2nd in the Championship after his win in South Africa. Reutemann bids to challenge the title with his pole position with his stable mate Gilles Villeneuve 2nd. The Brahhams of Lauda and Watson make up the 2nd row. Drivers' Championship standings after last round 1 Mario Andretti 12 2 Ronnie Peterson 11 2 Niki Lauda 10 3 Patrick Depailler 10 4 Carlos Reutemann 9
Monaco is the location of the sixth round. After Reutemann's victory in the USA, he is joint championship leader, and is set to extend the lead with his pole position here. The Brabhams of Watson and Lauda are once again following behind. Andretti is 4th. Drivers' Championship standings after last round 1 Carlos Reutemann 18 1 Mario Andretti 18 2 Ronnie Peterson 14 3 Patrick Depailler 14 2 Niki Lauda 10
Patrick Depailler is the surprise leader after his debut win in Monaco, also helped by the fact that neither Reutemann nor Andretti scored any points. Zolder is host to the Belgian Grand Prix. The Lotus team are hoping for further success with their new car, the Lotus 79, after gaining pole with Andretti. Reutemann and Lauda follow suit, with Villeneuve 4th. Notes: First Points - Gilles Villeneuve Last Race - Hesketh Racing. Drivers' Championship standings after last round 1 Patrick Depailler 23 2 Carlos Reutemann 18 3 Mario Andretti 18 4 Niki Lauda 16 5 Ronnie Peterson 14
Winner: Mika Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes 71 1:30'44.086
Hockenheim Mika Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes 45 1:20'47.984
Spa-Francorchamps Damon Hill Jordan-Mugen-Honda 44 1:43'47.407
Nurburgring Mika Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes 67 1:32'14.789
Suzuka Mika Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes 51 1:27'22.535
