1978 German Grand Prix

The 1978 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 16th July 1978 at Hockenheimring. It was the eighth race of the 1978 World Championship of F1 Drivers and the 1978 International Cup for F1 Constructors.
== Background ==
Despite the ongoing championship battle between Van Damme, Dingley, and Trémaux, much of the media attention in the paddock was focussed on the Margheriti brothers who were making their Formula One debuts this weekend. The young Italians were reserve drivers, with Fabiano Margheriti driving for Renault, whilst Vivaldo Margheriti was driving for Wolf to replace the absent Erik Vik.
== Qualifying ==
The entire paddock was stunned on Saturday as Vivaldo Margheriti took a surprise pole position, qualifying just 9 thousandths ahead of Chuck Dingley. Trémaux qualified 3rd, with Van Damme qualifying 4th. 
== Race Summary ==
Vivaldo had a good getaway from pole but ran slightly wide onto the exit kerb of the first corner causing him to spin off, just moments into the race. He hit the wall and picked up slight damage but was able to continue, albeit at the back of the field. Meanwhile, Trémaux had moved up to second ahead of Dingley. On the exit of the chicane, Trémaux put a tyre on the grass and span violently into the barrier, ending his race. The car was destroyed in the impact but the Frenchman escaped without any serious injuries.
Dingley pulled away from Van Damme due to starting on the soft tyres, with Fabiano Margheriti in 3rd. Lotus' Jeremy Spocinklass came to blows with Arrows' Reinaldo Molina at the second chicane, with Molina driving into the back of the Lotus and spinning. Spociklass was able to keep the car under control but lost several positions. In his much faster Lotus, Spocinklass recovered to 6th by lap four before making his way past Ferrari's Richard Jockey and then pulled up to the back of William Worchestershire-Smythe. Heading into the Ost-kurve, Spocinklass and W-S came together, with the former spinning at high speed into the barriers. Although shaken up, Spocinklass was unhurt. 
Dingley's lead came under threat from Van Damme as his soft tyres began to cliff near the end of the race. Van Damme brought the gap down to two seconds but it wasn't enough and Dingley pulled through to take his 3rd Grand Prix victory. Fabiano Margheriti impressed by finishing 3rd, taking Renault's first podium of the season. 
== Classification ==
Fastest lap: Chuck Dingley (Tyrrell) on lap 2 - 1:48.937
== Lap Leaders ==
Chuck Dingley (Laps 1-16)Category:Races