The 1977 Formula One season was the 31st season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 28th World Championship of Drivers and the 20th International Cup for Formula 1 Manufacturers. The season was dominated by Niki Lauda and Ferrari, though Lauda left the team before the end of the season. The season also marked the debut of the turbocharged Renault, changing the future of the sport.
The season opened at the Buenos Aires circuit. James Hunt took pole position, but it was Niki Lauda who won the race in his Ferrari, with Jody Scheckter and Hunt completing the podium.
The South African Grand Prix at Kyalami was won by Niki Lauda in a Ferrari. The race is also notable for Tom Pryce's fatal accident, which also killed a track marshal.
Held at the Circuito del Jarama, the Spanish Grand Prix was won by Mario Andretti in a Lotus-Ford. This was Andretti's first win for Team Lotus.
The French Grand Prix at Dijon-Prenois saw Mario Andretti take victory in his Lotus. Niki Lauda finished second, extending his championship lead.
At Silverstone, Niki Lauda secured victory in his Ferrari. This race was overshadowed by the debut of the turbocharged Renault RS01, driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille, marking the beginning of the turbo era in Formula 1.
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort was won by Niki Lauda. It was during this weekend that Lauda announced he would leave Ferrari at the end of the season due to a breakdown in his relationship with the team.
![Circuit Park Zandvoort, 4,226 km, layout 1973-1979 [(https://web.archive.org/web/20100603204811/http://www.circuit-zandvoort.nl/info/track_data/] (layout check and mapped with google maps, aerial view: http://imageshack.us/f/505/3094001bf5.jpg/)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Circuit_Park_Zandvoort-1973.svg/500px-Circuit_Park_Zandvoort-1973.svg.png)
Jody Scheckter won the Canadian Grand Prix at Mosport in his Wolf-Ford. Niki Lauda finished second, securing enough points to mathematically clinch his second World Championship.
James Hunt won the final race of the season at Fuji Speedway. Niki Lauda, who had already secured the championship, left Ferrari before this race and was replaced by Gilles Villeneuve. Ferrari won the International Cup for Formula 1 Manufacturers.
