Formula 1 historical archive

Mario Andretti won the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix

Mario Andretti won the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix for Team Lotus, ahead of Patrick Depailler and James Hunt at Fuji Speedway.

Browse the full classification, related season, driver, team, circuit, and championship history.

Race recap

Winner
Mario Andretti
Team
Team Lotus
Top listed
Mario Andretti, Patrick Depailler, and James Hunt
Race date
October 24, 1976
Pole
Mario Andretti
Fastest lap
Jacques Laffite
Classified drivers
27
Circuit
Fuji Speedway

The decisive result

Mario Andretti finished first for Team Lotus. Patrick Depailler is listed 2 for Tyrrell, with James Hunt 3 for McLaren.

Grid to finish

Alan Jones from P20 to P4 (+16), Noritake Takahara from P24 to P9 (+15), and Harald Ertl from P22 to P8 (+14) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Mario Andretti started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 7 +1 lap, 4 Withdrew, 2 Electrical, 2 Engine, and 1 +3 laps. Jacques Laffite holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:19.970. It records the result without speculating about incidents or strategy.

This summary sticks to the classification and does not speculate about incidents, strategy, weather, or causes. Source: F1DB (CC BY 4.0) · updated Jul 26, 2026.

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Race classification
PosDriverConstructorTime / statusPoints
1Mario AndrettiTeam Lotus1:43:58.8609
2Patrick DepaillerTyrrell+1 lap6
3James HuntMcLaren+1 lap4
4Alan JonesSurtees+1 lap3
5Clay RegazzoniFerrari+1 lap2
6Gunnar NilssonTeam Lotus+1 lap1
7Jacques LaffiteLigier+1 lap0
8Harald ErtlHesketh+1 lap0
9Noritake TakaharaSurtees+3 laps0
10Jean-Pierre JarierShadow+4 laps0
11Masahiro HasemiKojima+7 laps0
DNFJody ScheckterTyrrellOverheating0
DNFHans BinderWolf-WilliamsWheel0
DNFTom PryceShadowOil pressure0
DNFVittorio BrambillaMarchElectrical0
DNFHans-Joachim StuckMarchElectrical0
DNFJochen MassMcLarenAccident0
DNFJohn WatsonPenskeEngine0
DNFKazuyoshi HoshinoTyrrellTyre0
DNFArturo MerzarioWolf-WilliamsGearbox0