1976: Hunt wins the title #OnThisDay 24 October, despite missing two races following his life-threatening crash at the Nürburgring, Ferrari driver Niki Lauda entered the season’s final race at Fuji, the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix, leading the championship by three points over the McLaren of James Hunt. Hunt qualified second, just ahead of Lauda, but race day brought thick fog and torrential rain, with streams of water crossing the track. Although some drivers called for the race to be cancelled, the organisers proceeded. Hunt quickly took the lead at the start, while Lauda, struggling in the treacherous conditions, dropped back to the midfield. On the second lap, he pulled into the pits and retired, later explaining, “For me, there is something more important than the world championship.” Hunt maintained the lead but began to fall back as the track dried, losing positions to Patrick Depailler and Mario Andretti. Depailler’s rear tyre began deflating two laps later, forcing him to pit, and Hunt soon followed with a similar issue. After a pit stop, Hunt rejoined the race in fifth place and set out to chase down Depailler, Alan Jones, and Clay Regazzoni. Depailler overtook both on lap 70, and Hunt followed suit on the next lap, securing the third place he needed to clinch the championship. Reflecting on the race, Hunt said, “The front tyre started shredding, and I had rubbish all over my visor. I didn’t know what the hell to do. Then the tyre burst. I dropped some places during the pit stop, but I didn’t know how many. At the finish, I thought I still had to pass a couple of cars for third. Fortunately, I was wrong.” #f1 #formula1