Six Wheels Of Wonder: The Tyrrell P34’s Revolutionary Ride In F1 History

In the history books of Formula 1, few cars have become so ingrained in the public consciousness as the Tyrrell P34. This groundbreaking six-wheeled car, introduced to the world in 1976, is a testament to the innovation and creativity of F1 designers of the day when innovation seemed at an all-time high. Not only did the P34 challenge traditional thinking, but it also scored notable victories on the racing circuit, establishing it as one of the most memorable and distinctive designs in motor racing history.

The Origin of a Revolutionary Idea

The P34’s tale starts with the head designer of Tyrrell, Derek Gardner. During the mid-1970s, Formula 1 was going through a time of high competition, as most teams relied on the Cosworth DFV engine and the Hewland gearbox. This powertrain standardization made chassis design and aerodynamics more prominent as differentiating factors between the teams.

Gardner’s extreme answer to gaining an advantage was to rethink the very basis of a racing car: its wheels. His design was to equip the front of the car with four diminutive wheels, each a mere 10 inches in diameter, accompanied by two regular-sized wheels at the back. This radical configuration was based on a number of theoretical benefits:

Lower aerodynamic drag and lift at the front

Better braking capability owing to the greater contact patch

Improved cornering traction

Improved packaging and reduced frontal area

Development and Unveiling

The P34 project was kept under wraps while it was being developed. Gardner needed to persuade Goodyear to make special 10-inch tires for the car, a request the tire company was willing to keep under wraps. Even Tyrrell drivers were not privy to the groundbreaking design until it was revealed16.

On September 22, 1975, the motorsport community was shocked when Tyrrell unveiled the P34 at the Heathrow Hilton hotel. The peculiar look of the car immediately caught everyone’s eye, with four diminutive front wheels being partially covered by the front wing, making it look very unusual and futuristic.

Technical Specifications and Design

The P34 used the omnipresent Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0-liter V8, yielding about 485 horsepower. It was initially teamed with a 5-speed manual for 1976, followed later in 1977 by a 6-speed gearbox.

The most distinctive aspect of the car, naturally, was its front-end design. The steering rack controlled the front set of wheels, and the second row was linked to the front wheels through a clever crank system. All four front wheels had small disc brakes, which required a special triple master cylinder system to manage braking on the three axles.

To assist the drivers in adjusting to the unusual layout, Gardner added ‘portholes’ into the sides of the cockpit so they could view the front tires. This innovation assisted in putting the car onto the track and keeping an eye on tire wear.

Racing Debut and Early Success

The P34 competed in competition for the first time at the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix, round four of the season. Patrick Depailler was entrusted with driving the new car, while teammate Jody Scheckter used the traditional Tyrrell 007. Depailler sparked immediate hopes for the P34 by qualifying third on the grid, 11 places higher than Scheckter.

While both of the cars dropped out of their inaugural race due to different problems, it was apparent that the P34 was a good car. Scheckter was given his own P34 for the Belgian Grand Prix and immediately finished fourth. The next race in Monaco produced even more impressive results, with Scheckter and Depailler finishing second and third, respectively.

The Crowning Glory: Swedish Grand Prix 1976

The P34’s best moment arrived at the Swedish Grand Prix on June 13, 1976. On the flowing, smooth Anderstorp circuit, the six-wheeler’s peculiarities were at their best. Scheckter took pole position and proceeded to win a historic race, with Depailler following in a stunning one-two for Tyrrell56.

This victory represented a milestone moment in Formula 1 history; to this day, it is still the only Grand Prix won by a six-wheeler. The victory legitimized Gardner’s innovative design and caused waves around the paddock, with other teams investigating similar constructions.

Performance Characteristics and Challenges

The P34 performed differently based on the nature of the circuit. It was better on smooth circuits with long bends, like Anderstorp, Watkins Glen, Mosport Park, Fuji, and the Österreichring. Under these circumstances, the exceptional front-end geometry of the vehicle enabled it to achieve remarkable straight-line speed as well as cornering stability.

Yet, the P34 suffered on uneven circuits such as Brands Hatch, Jarama, and the Nürburgring. On these circuits, the handling of the car became erratic as the small front tires would lose contact with the road surface over bumps and undulations.

Braking was a problematic area too. The elaborate braking system, required due to the four diminutive front wheels, usually caused overheating problems. Braking technique needed to be modified by the drivers, since trail braking—used in today’s racing on a widespread scale—proved to be problematic owing to the special brake balance demands of the three-axle arrangement.

The 1976 Season and Beyond

In spite of its idiosyncrasies, the P34 was competitive during the 1976 season. Scheckter and Depailler combined for 10 podiums, and Tyrrell finished third in the Constructors’ Championship.

For 1977, the car was developed further. The P34B had cleaner aerodynamics and was wider and heavier than its predecessor. Ronnie Peterson replaced Scheckter, driving alongside Depailler. But the extra weight (now 190 pounds above minimum) added more load on the brakes and affected cornering performance negatively.

Moreover, tire development became a significant issue. While Goodyear continued to evolve their standard-sized tires, development of the bespoke 10-inch front tires lagged behind. This imbalance in tire performance gradually eroded the P34’s competitive advantage.

Legacy and Impact

The Tyrrell P34 continues to be one of the most iconic and groundbreaking Formula 1 cars. Its success led other teams, Ferrari, Williams, and March among them, to develop six-wheeled concepts. None of these reached the racetrack, however, and in 1983, the FIA essentially prohibited six-wheeled cars by requiring all Formula 1 cars to have four wheels.

In recent times, the P34 has received a new lease of life with historic racing competitions. With modern tire compounds alleviating some of the initial concerns, restored P34s have become competitive once more. In 2000, a P34 piloted by Martin Stretton even took the FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix series outright.

Conclusion

The Tyrrell P34 is a reminder of the innovative spirit that characterized Formula 1 during the 1970s. Its short but influential career proved that unconventional thinking still had a place at the pinnacle of motorsport. Though eventually replaced by more traditional concepts, the P34’s status as the sole six-wheeled Grand Prix winner means it will be remembered alongside other great Formula 1 cars.

The P34 also reminds us that in the drive for performance, the most outlandish ideas are sometimes the key to innovation. It represents the innovative thinking, bravery, and engineering ingenuity that have long ensured that Formula 1 remains a source of technological creativity. Looking forward to the future of motorsport, the spirit of the P34 is an inspiration, prompting designers and engineers to be less bound by conventional thinking in pursuit of speed and performance.