06.06.2023Tyrrell P34: On six wheels to the Grand-Prix-victory

Nowadays, the technical regulations in the premier class clearly specify that a Formula 1 car must have four wheels. In the 1970s, however, this point was not yet so precisely defined. In general, the engineers really let off steam at this time. While the racing cars of the previous decade were usually cigar-shaped and without wings, the aerodynamic add-on parts grew rapidly in the 70s.

The increasing importance of aerodynamics now brought some radical and memorable approaches. The Tyrrell with six wheels is perhaps the most popular one. Chief designer Derek Gardner came up with the idea of using smaller front wheels that could be hidden behind the front wing to reduce drag and allow cleaner airflow to the rear wing. However, the smaller front wheels also meant a smaller contact patch with the tarmac, so a second front axle was installed. The racing world reacted with astonishment and skepticism.

But after the first race at the Spanish Grand Prix in 1976, it didn't take long for the Tyrrell to develop its potential. In the third use of car in Monaco, Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler finished second and third. A race later they managed a double victory in Anderstorp, Sweden.

The manufacturer Modelcar Group has taken on the memorable double success and released the two Tyrrell P34 in scale 1:18. Both models feature a driver figure and a faithfully reproduced cockpit.

However, the success story on six wheels was to be short. Despite the memorable win, the South African Scheckter was not a fan of the concept. For the 1977 season, Ronnie Peterson took his place alongside Patrick Depailler. The two managed to get four more podium places, but the problems with the idiosyncratic design increased. Tyrrell relied heavily on development from tire manufacturer Goodyear. In addition, the higher weight of the cars increased the load on the small wheels.

For the following year the concept was discarded and Tyrrell started again with a four-wheeled car in 1978. Williams, March and also Ferrari experimented with six-wheel cars, but never used them in racing. The models of the Tyrrell P34 are souvenirs of a unique design coup in Formula 1-history.

Jody Scheckter Tyrrell P34-2 #3 Winner Swedish GP Formula 1 1976 1:18 MCG, RRP €64,95, item-no.: MCG18614F

Patrick Depailler Tyrrell P34-2 #4 2nd Swedish GP Formula 1 1976 1:18 MCG, RRP €64,95, item-no.: MCG18615F

Products

	Jody Scheckter Tyrrell P34-2 #3 Winner Sweden GP formula 1 1976 1:18 MCG	64,95 €
	Patrick Depailler Tyrrell P34-2 #4 2nd Sweden GP formula 1 1976 1:18 MCG	64,95 €