The German Grand Prix on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife becomes a very special race for Harald Ertl. The 28-year-old is at the start of a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time.
With a used Hesketh 308B Ford Cosworth and with start number 25, Ertl enters the race. The roughly 589-kilogram light race cars features an aluminum monocoque and is powered by a 3.0-liter Cosworth DFV V8 driven. Round 485 hp at 10,600 rpm are transmitted to the rear wheels via a five-speed Hewland gearbox.
The golden Hesketh with Warsteiner lettering qualifies in 23rd grid position. Ahead of Ertl are the big names of Formula 1 – including Niki Lauda, James Hunt, and Carlos Reutemann.
While Carlos Reutemann wins the Grand Prix, the 22.8-kilometer Nordschleife takes its toll. Numerous drivers drop out, including Ertl's teammate James Hunt with a rear hub failure.
Ertl, on the other hand, remains in the race and brings his Hesketh up behind 14 laps to go.
Eighth place in Formula 1 debut.
Out of 24 drivers who started, only eight were classified. For Ertl, this marks a remarkable debut in the premier class—and the beginning of his short Formula 1 career.
The golden Hesketh 308B with the starting number 25 remains inextricably linked to a special chapter in Nürburgring history.