- Monaco Grand Prix
Four from six for Lauda with Monaco win
Niki Lauda's successful season continued in Monte Carlo as he clinched the Monaco Grand Prix - his fourth win in six starts - with the six-wheeled Tyrrells second and third. The result gave Lauda a 36-point lead over team-mate Clay Regazzoni.
The weekend was a straight battle between the Ferraris and Tyrrells from the start. The only threat to that came when Regazzoni was shunted from behind by the Lotus of Gunnar Nilsson just before the tunnel in the first practice session - Regazzoni switched to his spare car and still qualified second. Ronnie Peterson proved a brief party pooper when he qualified his March in third with a last-gasp flying lap.
Lauda, on pole, was fastest off the line and led for the rest of the race. Despite the use of a yellow no-overtaking flag at the first corner to try to avoid a collision, Carlos Reutemann's Brabham hit Alan Jones' Surtees, eliminating both.
Peterson outpaced Regazzoni and remained in second until the 27th lap when he spun on oil deposited on the track when the engine on James Hunt's McLaren expired. Hunt had a wretched day, starting back in 14th and spinning early to deposit him to the back of the field.
Regazzoni was also forced to take an escape road after losing grip at the same spot and that allowed the Tyrrells to pass. He caught Patrick Depailler, who was having suspension troubles, on the 64th lap but then surrendered his position again when he hit a barrier at the Rascasse hairpin.
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