The Estoril Classics is a showcase for some of the rarest and most historically significant cars in motorsport, and this year will be no different. Among the highlights is the iconic Tyrrell P34—the only six-wheeled Formula 1 car to ever compete.
Throughout the history of motorsport, certain cars have stood out for their technological advancements or the results they achieved, such as the Auto Union Grand Prix cars of the 1930s or the Porsche 917 from the late 1960s and early 1970s on endurance racing.
The Tyrrell P34, powered by the venerable Ford Cosworth DFV engine, is one of those cars that has left an indelible mark on motorsport history.
The P34—Project 34—was conceived by Derek Gardner, the talented designer at Tyrrell during the 1970s, at a time when almost every team used engines designed and built by Cosworth.
In this context, it was the chassis that sought to make the competitive difference, and all the teams were striving to find solutions to stand out on the Grand Prixs.
It was out of this necessity that the English engineer explored the possibility of designing a six-wheeled single-seater in 1975—two conventional rear wheels and four smaller front wheels.
This setup allowed for reduced aerodynamic drag, as the 10-inch tires were concealed behind the front wing, enabling better airflow to the rear wing, which became more efficient as a result.
Of course, in motorsport, nothing comes for free, and adding four front wheels, all of which were steerable, introduced extra weight—a characteristic any race engineer typically avoids. Additionally, cooling the front brakes also posed a challenge.
Despite these challenges, Derek Gardner managed to overcome the issues, and by the fourth race of the 1976 season, the Tyrrell team arrived at Jarama for the Spanish Grand Prix with a P34 for Patrick Depailler, while a cautious Jody Scheckter continued to drive a 007.
The French driver demonstrated the validity of the project with a third-place qualifying result, although he retired from the race due to brake problems. However, results started to come in at the Monaco Grand Prix, with Scheckter finishing in second place and Depailler in third.
It was at Anderstorp circuit in Sweden that Derek Gardner’s bold approach was rewarded, with the South African driver leading a Tyrrell one-two finish. This remains the only victory in Formula 1 history for a six-wheeled car.
At the end of the season, with ten podiums and a victory, the Tyrrell P34 secured third place in the Constructors' Championship for Ken Tyrrell's team, just 12 points behind the championship-winning Ferrari.
However, a problem began to afflict the six-wheeled car—the lack of development of the 10-inch front tires, which were designed and supplied by Goodyear.
According to Derek Gardner's calculations, the performance difference between the rear tires, used by all teams, and the front tires, specific to Tyrrell, was about two seconds per lap. This discrepancy created significant handling issues for the P34, which in 1977 would be driven by Patrick Depailler and Ronnie Peterson.
In its second season, despite a new engine cover, the Tyrrell P34 failed to replicate the previous year’s results, achieving only four podiums and dropping the team to sixth place in the Constructors' Championship.
In 1978, the British team reverted to a conventional design with only four wheels, but the Tyrrell P34 remains a unique piece of Formula 1 history as the only single-seater to both compete and win a Grand Prix with six wheels.
Portuguese fans will have the chance to see this piece of motorsport history during the Estoril Classics, as Jonathan Holtzman will bring his Tyrrell P34, chassis #009 (a 'continuation' built with the original plans and with Tyrrell’s authorization), to the Autódromo do Estoril. The car will be presented in its 1976 configuration, with the exposed engine, similar to the setup that allowed Scheckter to win in Sweden.
At the time, Tyrrell built eight chassis, all of which became outdated when the team decided to end the project at the end of 1977. However, Ken Tyrrell, understood the future historical value of his car, sold all but one—the very chassis in which Scheckter won in Sweden. Today, an original P34 is valued at over a million euros.
The only ‘six-wheeled Formula 1 car in history’ will participate in the traditional Classic GP at Estoril Classics, and it is expected to attract significant interest from fans. Those who purchase paddock tickets will have the opportunity to see the Tyrrell P34 up close.
Paddock tickets are now on sale, with single-day passes priced at 20 euros for Friday and 35 euros for Saturday and Sunday. A three-day pass is available for just 50 euros, while children up to 16 years old can access the paddock for free if accompanied by an adult.
Tickets can be purchased through the official BOL.pt website or at FNAC and Worten stores. As usual, the number of tickets is limited to the physical space of the paddock at the Autódromo do Estoril.
Keeping the tradition from day one of Estoril Classics, access to Grandstand A is free, allowing all fans to enjoy the event at the historic Portuguese circuit.
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