Tyrrell six-wheeler coming to Adelaide

One of the most infamous and radical cars ever seen in Formula 1, the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34, is coming to the 2025 Adelaide Motorsport Festival.

The unique six-wheeled P34 will be a star attraction when it arrives at Adelaide for the first time at the March 8-9 event.

The Tyrrell P34 designed by Derek Gardner using four specially manufactured 10-inch diameter wheels and full-sized rear wheels, hoping to reduce the amount of lift, clean up the front aerodynamics and improve the handling.

It first turned heads at the 1976 Spanish grand Prix with Patrick Depailler, but teammate Jody Scheckter finished fourth in his first drive at Spa.

At the following race its pace was clear as the duo scored their first duel podium at Monaco behind the Ferrari of Niki Lauda.

The six-wheeled machine was then close to untouchable at the Swedish Grand Prix at Anderstorp where Scheckter converted pole position into a famous win.

To further cement the Tyrrell dominance, Depailler drove from fourth to second to cement a historic 1-2 finish.

A further seven runner-up finishes at Paul Ricard, Brands Hatch, Nurburgring, Mosport, Watkins Glen and Mount Fuji pushed Tyrrell to an impressive third in the constructors championship.

With Ronnie Peterson replacing Scheckter in 1977, the now blue and white P34B still made regular trips to the podium.

Peterson took third at Belgium, while Depailler stood on the podium at South Africa, Canada and Japan.

However, increased weight, brake and tyre issues led to a string of retirements, with the Tyrrell teammates only both finishing three of the 17 Grands Prix.

By the time 1978 rolled around Tyrrell had stopped using its ground-breaking design and reverted back to the more familiar four-wheel version as the Formula 1 rules were revised to limit the number of wheels.

Only a handful of P34s still exist, but Australian fans will get enjoy a first-hand glimpse next year.

The car is appearing courtesy of motorsport entrepreneur Tony Quinn, who will drive the car alongside Craig Lowndes.

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.