Page "McLaren" Paragraph 12

At the end of 1975 Fittipaldi left to join his brother's Fittipaldi / Copersucar team.

With the top drivers already signed to other teams, Mayer turned to James Hunt, a driver who biographer Gerald Donaldson reflected on as having " a dubious reputation ".

In Lauda was again strong in his Ferrari ; at mid season he led the championship with 56 points whilst Hunt had only 26 despite wins in Spain ( a race from which he was initially disqualified ) and France.

But at the German Grand Prix Lauda crashed heavily, was nearly killed and missed the next two races.

Hunt capitalised by winning four more Grands Prix giving him a three-point deficit going into the finale in Japan.

Here it rained torentially, Lauda retired because of safety concerns and Hunt sealed the drivers ' championship by finishing third.

McLaren, though, lost the constructors ' championship to Ferrari.