Lotus won 5 races out of 17, and the world title went to Niki Lauda.
The title was decided in round 15 – United States Grand Prix.
In 1977 Lotus introduced the Lotus 78, the first ground-effect car: Mario Andretti won more races in it than anyone else — four — but retired often. Wolf won the very first race in their history, in Argentina, with Jody Scheckter.
Niki Lauda won three races, scored consistently and clinched his second title early, then left Ferrari before the season was over. Jacques Laffite gave Ligier their first win in Sweden, Alan Jones gave Shadow their first win in Austria, and Renault took to the grid with the first turbo engine in Formula 1.
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