Mario Andretti becomes first American in 17 years to win F1 world title • Andretti's Lotus team-mate Ronnie Peterson dies from injuries sustained in a crash at Monza • Ground effect becomes de rigeur as skirt-fitted Lotus 79 sets pace. Brabham fan car withdrawn after dominating Swedish Grand prix • Renault finally wins Le Mans with its Alpine prototype after three years of trying • Al Unser takes third of four Indianapolis victories • Former Lotus grand prix winner Gunnar Nilsson dies of cancer • Nelson Piquet, Keke Rosberg and Rene Arnoux all make F1 debuts • Gilles Villeneuve scores maiden victory in front of home crowd for the inaugural Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal • Derek Warwick wins the Vandervell British F3 Championship, Piquet wins the BP title
1978
Lotus dominates, with Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson finishing 1-2 in the championship
Ronnie Peterson (pictured with Mario Andretti) dies from injuries sustained in a crash at Monza
Renault wins the Le Mans 24 Hours at the third attempt
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