Apart from Peterson's death, the year saw another tragedy when Peterson's Swedish compatriot Gunnar Nilsson died from cancer, having been forced to cut his career short after the previous season because of the disease. Carlos Reutemann finished third in the championship in the lead Ferrari, while Lauda finished fourth with Brabham. Ĭhampionship defendants Niki Lauda and Ferrari had parted ways late in 1977, and both parties struggled to repeat the successes they had enjoyed the previous seasons. JPS-Lotus won the International Cup for F1 Constructors. Ronnie Peterson was awarded second place in the Drivers' standings posthumously, having died from medical complications after an accident at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix. His victory at the Dutch Grand Prix is also the last for an American driver.

He remains the last American driver to win the World Championship. Mario Andretti won the Drivers' World Championship, driving for JPS-Lotus.

The season also included the non-championship BRDC International Trophy. It featured the 1978 World Championship of F1 Drivers and the International Cup for F1 Constructors, contested concurrently over a sixteen race series which commenced on 15 January and ended on 8 October. The 1978 Formula One season was the 32nd season of FIA Formula One motor racing.

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