Tyrrell's iconic 'Six-Wheeler'

The six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 was a pet project of designer Derek Gardner, who had come up with the idea while he was working on four-wheel-drive systems for Indianapolis cars during the late-1960s. A few years later, and with the majority of the Formula 1 grid using the same Ford-Cosworth DFV engine, he revisited the idea. His calculations showed that four small front wheels would offer a significant reduction in the aerodynamic drag generated by two standard wheels – equivalent, in fact, to having an extra 40 brake horsepower.

Goodyear agreed to make bespoke tyres for the 10-inch front wheels, and the P34 was developed in great secrecy. When it was officially unveiled to the world’s press in September 1975, nobody was quite sure what to make of it. Some even suggested that it was simply a PR stunt.

But Gardner’s concept was sound. Patrick Depailler gave the P34 its debut at the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix and qualified 3rd on the grid, while teammate Jody Scheckter was down in 14th place in the old four-wheeled 007. By the time of the Belgian Grand Prix, Scheckter also had a P34 and promptly finished 4th, then 2nd in Monaco, with Depailler following him home in 3rd.

The P34’s crowning glory came in that year’s Swedish Grand Prix, where Scheckter qualified on pole position and went on to take a superb victory. Depailler crossed the line in 2nd to complete a resounding one-two, a result that helped the team finish 3rd in that year’s Constructors’ World Championship. The team continued to race the P34 through 1977 with Depailler and Ronnie Peterson, but Gardner left that year, and in 1978 Tyrrell returned to a conventional four-wheeled layout for the 008.

This particular 1977 Tyrrell P34 is chassis number 8, which was constructed by Tyrrell in period and retained as a spare. It will feature as part of RM Sotheby’s Monaco sale held between 10-11th May 2024. Photos © Simon Clay / RM Sotheby's