He skidded off the Interlagos track at Sao Paulo during the 1977 Brazilian Grand Prix. He was hospitalized with a leg injury. Depailler qualified in the 6th row, 12th position, for the 1977 United States Grand Prix West. His time was 87.959. In December 1977 Depailler was promoted to the number one driver for Tyrrell, when Ronnie Peterson left to drive for