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sports4h ago
F1 Team Were Forced to Withdraw Car That Won Grand Prix In Its Only Race
- The Brabham BT46B, dubbed the 'fan car', won its debut race at the Swedish Grand Prix before being withdrawn.
- Protests from McLaren, Tyrell, Surtees, Williams and Lotus challenged the car's aerodynamic advantages.
- Regulatory pressure and FOCA influence led Bernie Ecclestone to withdraw the BT46B after the race.
- The car used ground-effect tunnels and a rear fan to enhance downforce and engine cooling.
- The FIA banned moveable aerodynamic devices, but Brabham argued the fan primarily cooled the engine.
- Niki Lauda won the race in the BT46B, finishing far ahead of rivals with a 34-second gap.
- Brabham's design changes and the controversy surrounding the car overshadowed the season's early races.
- The car's fate reflected tensions between innovation and compliance in 1970s F1.
- The episode occurred during the 1978 season amid evolving safety and regulatory standards.
- Lauda and teammate John Watson achieved podiums even as the BT46B faced pushback.
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