Formula 1 historical archive

Carlos Reutemann won the 1978 British Grand Prix

Carlos Reutemann won the 1978 British Grand Prix for Ferrari, ahead of Niki Lauda and John Watson at Brands Hatch.

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

Race recap

Winner
Carlos Reutemann
Team
Ferrari
Top listed
Carlos Reutemann, Niki Lauda, and John Watson
Race date
July 16, 1978
Pole
Ronnie Peterson
Fastest lap
Niki Lauda
Classified drivers
30
Circuit
Brands Hatch

The decisive result

Carlos Reutemann finished first for Ferrari. Niki Lauda is listed 2 for Brabham, with John Watson 3 for Brabham.

Grid to finish

Brett Lunger from P24 to P8 (+16), Vittorio Brambilla from P25 to P9 (+16), and Patrick Tambay from P20 to P6 (+14) recorded the largest positive grid-to-finish changes in the classification. Ronnie Peterson started from the listed P1 grid position.

Status and fastest lap

The classification lists 5 +1 lap, 4 DNQ, 4 Finished, 4 Gearbox, and 2 Engine. Niki Lauda holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:18.600 on lap 72. 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
1Carlos ReutemannFerrari1:42:12.3909
2Niki LaudaBrabham1:42:13.6206
3John WatsonBrabham1:42:49.6404
4Patrick DepaillerTyrrell1:43:25.6603
5Hans-Joachim StuckShadow+1 lap2
6Patrick TambayMcLaren+1 lap1
7Bruno GiacomelliMcLaren+1 lap0
8Brett LungerMcLaren+1 lap0
9Vittorio BrambillaSurtees+1 lap0
10Jacques LaffiteLigier+3 laps0
NCJochen MassATS Wheels+10 laps0
DNFKeke RosbergATS WheelsSuspension0
DNFClay RegazzoniShadowGearbox0
DNFJean-Pierre JabouilleRenaultTurbo0
DNFRiccardo PatreseArrowsSuspension0
DNFDidier PironiTyrrellGearbox0
DNFJody ScheckterWolfGearbox0
DNFEmerson FittipaldiFittipaldiEngine0
DNFArturo MerzarioMerzarioFuel system0
DNFDerek DalyEnsignWheel0