Formula 1 historical archive

Carlos Reutemann won the 1978 Brazilian Grand Prix

Carlos Reutemann won the 1978 Brazilian Grand Prix for Ferrari, ahead of Emerson Fittipaldi and Niki Lauda at Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet.

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

Race recap

Winner
Carlos Reutemann
Team
Ferrari
Top listed
Carlos Reutemann, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Niki Lauda
Race date
January 29, 1978
Pole
Ronnie Peterson
Fastest lap
Carlos Reutemann
Classified drivers
28
Circuit
Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet

The decisive result

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

Grid to finish

Didier Pironi from P19 to P6 (+13), Jochen Mass from P20 to P7 (+13), and John Watson from P21 to P8 (+13) 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 4 DNQ, 4 Finished, 3 +1 lap, 3 Accident, and 3 Spun off. Carlos Reutemann holds the fastest-lap entry at 1:43.070 on lap 35. 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 ReutemannFerrari1:49:59.8609
2Emerson FittipaldiFittipaldi1:50:48.9906
3Niki LaudaBrabham1:50:56.8804
4Mario AndrettiTeam Lotus1:51:32.9803
5Clay RegazzoniShadow+1 lap2
6Didier PironiTyrrell+1 lap1
7Jochen MassATS Wheels+1 lap0
8John WatsonBrabham+2 laps0
9Jacques LaffiteLigier+2 laps0
10Riccardo PatreseArrows+4 laps0
11Alan JonesWilliams+5 laps0
DNFHéctor RebaqueTeam LotusPhysical0
DNFGilles VilleneuveFerrariSpun off0
DNFPatrick TambayMcLarenSpun off0
DNFHans-Joachim StuckShadowFuel system0
DNFJames HuntMcLarenSpun off0
DNFJody ScheckterWolfAccident0
DNFRonnie PetersonTeam LotusCollision0
DNFDanny OngaisEnsignBrakes0
DNFBrett LungerMcLarenOverheating0